The newly-created North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP Bike Unit has been achieving its goal this summer of addressing prolific offender crime and disorder occurring on the Trans Canada Highway corridor.
The two-person team has several files under investigation for drug trafficking and has removed a variety of illicit drugs from the streets.
Police officers from the Bike Unit arrested one man July 22 for possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes at the 300-block of Ypres Street in Duncan. Over the course of the investigation, the man was found to also be in possession of a variety of items often used for the purpose of trafficking drugs, such as scales and baggies, and large amounts of what is believed to be methamphetamine and heroin.
The investigation of the seized items is ongoing, with the drugs being sent to labs for safe analysis. The man involved was released with an upcoming court date and cannot be named at this time.
Bike Unit officers were speaking with people in the 600-block of Trunk Road Aug. 5 and, while following up on suspicious behaviour, found a man to be in possession of a large container of suspected illicit drugs.
The alleged drugs were packaged in a way that is consistent with being prepared for sale. These drugs have also been submitted for analysis and police anticipate charges will be laid as part of the investigation.
The North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP Bike Unit consists of police officers temporarily re-assigned from other units within the detachment to support front-line officers. They work in collaboration with the Community Safer Working Group to improve safety and address problems in the community.
The goal is to deal with concerns like drug use and trafficking, public alcohol consumption and prolific property offenders. Using bicycles allows these police officers to react quickly to events in progress, attend calls in areas that may be difficult for vehicles to access and be a visible presence in problem spots around the community.