A Pemberton man has been charged with trafficking and possession of cocaine.
Upon executing a search warrant on Feb. 23 at 7617 Pemberton Meadows Road, Whistler-Pemberton RCMP located more than one ounce of cocaine, over $7,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia. Three other people were arrested in connection with the investigation.
David Ronald Hoffman, 46, will be facing those charges April 27 in Pemberton Provincial Court. A justice of the peace released Hoffman under strict conditions pending this initial court appearance.
Pemberton RCMP Cpl. Paul Vadik said that while marijuana continues to be number one on the list, cocaine has been identified as a part of the Pemberton drug trade.
"Cocaine has been in Pemberton for a while obviously, however the community is taking ownership of the problem and helping us with good information," said Cpl. Vadik. "(This) search warrant certainly put a dent into the supply of cocaine in the community."
The raid occurred at 11 p.m. and utilized five police officers and a police dog. The mobile home was identified as a possible site of drug trafficking through public tips. A subsequent investigation by police gathered enough evidence to justify a search warrant.
Cpl. Vadik is encouraged by the information being provided by the community in helping the continued crack down on drug activity and other crimes.
"Drug traffickers and users should be aware that more investigations are ongoing," he said. "Our goal is to rid the supply to defeat the demand... and to place the deterrent in the community that the police are on top of who is dealing and who is using. The Whistler-Pemberton RCMP have a zero tolerance policy for drug traffickers and users."
The RCMP officer gained extensive experience in handling drug crimes while working in Nanaimo.
