Traffic stop leads to seizure of loaded firearm, fentanyl and methamphetamine
By Castlegar Source
Just after midnight on Sept. 3, 2023, Castlegar RCMP conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle observed on Columbia Avenue, contravening the Motor Vehicle Act. Upon approaching the motor vehicle, four occupants were observed inside the vehicle, and police observed what appeared to be a firearm. The four occupants of the vehicle were taken into police custody without incident, and a search of the vehicle found a loaded rifle, an air soft handgun, and a large quantity of controlled substances believed to be fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Three of the occupants were transported back to the Castlegar RCMP detachment, and the fourth occupant, a 45 year-old Castlegar man, was released on scene.
The female driver, a 41 year-old Winlaw resident, was released from police custody on bail conditions to appear in Castlegar Court December 13, 2023.
The third passenger of the vehicle, 30 year-old Castlegar resident Jesse Farmery, at the time of his arrest was out on bail after being criminally charged in relation to a Feb. 15, 2023 traffic stop where Castlegar RCMP located large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and currency (see below). Farmery was brought before the Provincial Court, where five additional charges, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a firearm without license, commit an offence with loaded firearm, careless use, carrying, handling, shipping, transport or storage of a firearm, and possession of a controlled substance for trafficking, in relation to the Sept. 3, 2023 traffic stop, were laid. Farmery was held in custody and will next appear in Kelowna Law Courts Sept. 14, 2023.
The fourth passenger, 41 year-old Brian Mackay of Montrose, at the time of his arrest, was out on bail because he was criminally charged for possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking after a traffic stop Trail RCMP conducted in Trail, BC on May 25, 2023 where a quantity of methamphetamine and fentanyl was seized. For the Sept. 3, 2023 allegation, Mr. Mackay was brought before the Provincial Court, where additional five additional charges for possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a firearm without license, commit an offence with a loaded firearm, careless use, carrying, handling, shipping, transport or storage of a firearm, and possession of a controlled substance for trafficking have been laid. Mr. Mackay was held in custody and is to next appear in Castlegar Court Sept. 20, 2023
Castlegar RCMP are continuing to investigate, and the matter has been referred to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada for full charge assessment.
Previous coverage:
On Wednesday, February 15, 2023 the Castlegar RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, with assistance from other Detachment officers, arrested two men for allegedly being responsible for the trafficking of suspected drugs.
The arrests came after officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle the two accused occupied while in the 600 block of Christina Place in Castlegar, BC.
Further investigation led to the seizure of a large quantity of suspected Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Canadian currency. Castlegar RCMP completed their investigation and referred the matter the Public Prosecution Service of Canada for full charge assessment.
BC Prosecution Services have approved charges on 30-year-old Jesse Farmery, and 59-year-old Charles (Chuck) Adshead. Both have charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Both are scheduled to next appear in Castlegar Provincial Court on July 26, 2023.
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