A man has been arrested and faces potential drug charges following a suspect drug transaction in broad daylight.

On July 6, 2016 at approximately 12:45 pm, an officer with the Kelowna RCMP Downtown Enforcement Unit (DEU) observed an apparent drug transaction in the 500 block of Gaston Avenue. The officer stopped the suspect vehicle and was in the process of arresting and handcuffing the driver when the suspect suddenly turned uncooperative. While handcuffed by only one arm through the driver’s side window, the suspect was believed to be destroyed evidence inside the vehicle with his free hand.

Additional officers attended the scene and assisted in taking the man into custody. A second man at scene, who police believe to be the dealer’s potential buyer, was arrested but later released without charge.

A Police Service Dog was called to the scene to assist with a search of the suspect’s vehicle incidental to arrest. The search, conducted by PSD “Eli,” located 40 bags of suspect heroin along with 27 bags of suspected crack cocaine. The illegal drugs were packaged individually for street level sales and found concealed below the steering column of the vehicle.

The suspect, a 21-year-old Oliver man, faces potential charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. He was released from custody and is expected to appear in Court in October 2016.