Police in British Columbia’s West Kootenay region say two people are facing charges after searches of two residential properties this week turned up suspected illicit drugs, firearms and explosives. The simultaneous searches were carried out at homes near Trail and Castlegar on Sept. 15 as part of a joint drug-trafficking investigation. The searches were conducted with assistance from the Southeast District RCMP’s heavily armed emergency response team. Police said investigators seized suspected cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine, along with firearms, ammunition and explosive materials from a property in the 1000 block of Mountain Street in Robson, northwest of Castlegar. Brian Mackay, 43, a resident of the community, was arrested at the scene, according to an RCMP statement issued Friday. Mackay has since been charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and three offences related to unauthorized possession of a firearm, police said. “Due to the risk posed to public safety, Castlegar RCMP secured the residence until specialized resources could attend,” the statement said. “The RCMP Explosives Disposal Unit subsequently took control of the explosives and safely disposed of the materials on the evening of Sept. 16.” Meanwhile, a search of a Trail-area property in the 8600 block of Waneta Highway turned up suspected cocaine, methamphetamine and ketamine, police said. Investigators also seized a firearm, ammunition, cash, a vehicle and “other items consistent with drug trafficking,” according to the statement. Six people were arrested at the property, but only one was charged. Tyson Simons, 18, is facing one count of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and one count of unauthorized possession of a firearm, according to police. Both Simons and Mackay appeared in court on Sept. 16 and were remanded into custody pending their next court appearances. “This joint investigation by officers from the Castlegar and Trail detachments demonstrates their commitment to working together to remove illicit drugs from our communities,” said Staff Sgt. Monty Taylor and Staff Sgt. Dave Johnson in a joint statement Friday. “Residents in the Castlegar area may have heard the disposal of the seized explosives. We want to reassure the public that the disposal was conducted by specialized personnel in a manner that prioritized public safety and was completed using the safest methods available.” The RCMP says the joint drug-trafficking investigation remains ongoing and further charges may be pending.
