Police in the Kootenays searched five homes, finding drugs

Photo: Contributed

Police in the Kootenays simultaneously executed five search warrants Wednesday, arresting five men police believe are involved in a drug trafficking operation.

Dozens of officers from across the West Kootenays region were involved in the co-ordinated arrests.

Police say they seized an undisclosed amount of what is believed to be cocaine and cannabis, along with cash, handguns, rifles and shotguns.

“The execution of the search warrants was the (Crime Reduction Unit) investigative team’s next steps, who are committed to dismantling what they believe to be a sophisticated drug trafficking group operating in the Kootenay region,” said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, spokesperson for the RCMP Southeast District.

While five men were arrested in the raids, only one has been formally charged at this time. Warfield's John Allan Schubert, 32, was charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. He remains in police custody, and is scheduled to appear in Rossland court Thursday morning.

Officers from Trail, Castlegar, Nelson, Cranbrook and the Kootenay Boundary Regional detachments were involved in the bust.

Cpl. O'Donaghey says once their investigation is complete, police will forward their findings to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, and more charges may be laid.