Traffic stop leads to seizure of loaded firearm, fentanyl and methamphetamine

Just after midnight on September 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, BC 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 February 15, 2023 traffic stop where Castlegar RCMP located large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and currency (refer to previous media release). Mr. Farmery was brought before the Provincial Court, where five additional charges, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a firearm without licence, 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 September 3, 2023 traffic stop, were laid. Mr. Farmery was held in custody and will next appear in Kelowna Law Courts September 14, 2023.

The fourth passenger, 41 year-old Brian Mackay of Montrose, BC, 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 September 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 licence, 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 September 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.