A routine traffic stop for a helmet violation led Mission RCMP to arrest a man and seize a loaded handgun, drugs, and cash on the night of April 9.
The incident unfolded along 2 Ave. near Columbia St. when an officer noticed a man riding an electric moped without a helmet.
When stopped, the rider claimed he had no identification but gave a name and date of birth. The officer suspected the information was false and warned the man that providing a fake identity could result in arrest for obstructing a peace officer.
The man then admitted to lying and provided his real name.
A background check revealed the 41-year-old Mission resident was a repeat offender currently under a Release Order for drug trafficking charges and on probation for past convictions, including carrying a concealed weapon and firearms possession.
During the interaction, the officer noticed the man had dropped a package of contraband cigarettes. He was arrested under the federal Excise Act, at which point he admitted to carrying a firearm.
The officer found a loaded handgun with a silencer tucked into the man’s waistband.
A further search uncovered several hundred dollars in cash and quantities of suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and cannabis. The man was taken into custody and held for a bail hearing.
Mission RCMP said the case underscores how a simple traffic infraction can escalate into a major investigation. The man now faces multiple charges related to weapons possession and breaching court conditions.