Numerous weapons, drugs, drug paraphernalia and cash were found by Oceanside RCMP after a using a search warrant to bust a home on Manse Rd. in Parksville on Nov. 27, 2019 (Oceanside RCMP)

By Ian Holmes

drug bust

Police and neighbours team up to send prolific Parksville drug dealer to jail

Mar 2, 2020 | 4:25 PM

NANAIMO— A man was sentenced to more than nine months behind bars after pleading guilty for his role in a Parksville drug house where numerous weapons and cash were also found.

Kyle Andrew Thomsen, 29, who pleaded guilty to possessing drugs and a prohibited weapon, was sentenced recently at provincial court in Nanaimo.

During a joint submission before Judge Catherine Crockett, court was told neighbours informed police last fall about suspected drug activity at a Manse Rd. home behind Wembley Mall.

The Crown’s Marsha Down said one neighbour set up surveillance video showing 154 vehicles stopping by the home between Nov. 10 and 19. It was visited by another 123 people on foot or bike.

Most of the people stayed under 15 minutes.

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Police followed up on tips from numerous people in the neighbourhood with their own in-person surveillance.

“They saw multiple people on the property, some visiting the residence, while some visiting the motor home out back and some visiting both,” Down told court.

The police investigation came to a head on the afternoon of Nov. 27 when police pulled over a vehicle and arrested the driver shortly after he left the home.

RCMP searched the home the same evening and found Thomsen inside, where he was arrested.

In his bedroom police found more than 14 grams of cocaine, various knives and other weapons, a modified bolt-action sawed-off rifle and $1,500 cash.

Packaging material, scales and items consistent with producing crack cocaine were also seized.

Defence attorney Kelly Bradshaw said her client is motivated to get his addiction issues behind him and become an electrician.

Judge Crockett recommended Thomsen serve his sentence at Nanaimo Correctional Centre and take part in the renowned Guthrie Thereaputic Community substance abuse program.

Thomsen told Judge Crockett this instance of crime was caused by a short relapse.

“I went back to a life I shouldn’t have, as a result I’m in this situation again. Addictions are hard to deal with here, that’s why I hope to go back to Guthrie,” Thomsen said.

Without the benefit of credit for time already served behind bars Thomsen’s sentenced would have been nearly 14 months in jail.

He was also handed one year probation. He’s already under a lifetime firearms ban.

Thomsen is a prolific offender with prior convictions for drug crimes in the Comox Valley, Nanaimo and Oceanside regions.

Thomsen was sentenced to 15 months in jail in Nov. 2018 after pleading guilty to a pair of drug trafficking charges in Parksville.

Charges against co-accused Ryan Walter O’Melia were previously dropped by the Crown.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes