A traffic bust in Nanaimo resulted in a substantial bust, including two loaded shotguns and a bomb. (Nanaimo RCMP)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

significant bust

Loaded shotguns & homemade bomb among haul from Nanaimo traffic stop

Jan 26, 2022 | 11:27 AM

NANAIMO — What originally looked like a routine traffic stop turned into a substantial bust by local Mounties.

RCMP media liaison officer Cst. Gary O’Brien said an officer spotted a suspicious older model Ford Focus in central Nanaimo and pulled motorist over on Meredith Rd. at Boundary Ave. since the vehicle was uninsured.

“What he found was alarming,” O’Brien said of the early morning Saturday, Jan. 22 incident.

Two loaded 12-gauge shotguns, a homemade bomb, stun gun, fentanyl, a kit used for home invasions and cash were all found in the car, O’Brien said.

Some of the items were in plain view.

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Realizing the potential safety threat, the responding officer called for backup before the vehicle was searched.

An explosive found on the back seat was later safely detonated by the RCMP’s explosives device team.

The driver, a 31-year-old man from Vernon was arrested. Two passengers, a 23-year-old man and 28-year-old woman both from Nanaimo were also taken into custody.

All three were later released with charges pending as the investigation continues.

“Now we know who they are. We’re connecting the dots to whatever criminal activity these people were involved in not only in Nanaimo but in Vernon.”

O’Brien called this incident a classic example of thorough police work.

“Having no insurance is a straight Motor Vehicle Act infraction, but often it leads to other things and that’s exactly what happened.”

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