A Saanich woman faces impaired driving and firearms charges after picking up a friend in View Royal.
On Nov. 28 around 9:20 p.m. a West Shore RCMP officer was on patrol near Helmken Road and Island Highway when he spotted a vehicle swerving, according to a department news release. The officer pulled the driver over and learned she was not the registered owner and did not have a valid licence. She was issued a driving prohibition and the vehicle was towed.
The woman called the registered owner of the vehicle to pick her up. The 23-year-old Saanich woman arrived exhibiting what police noted as symptoms of drug impairment.
READ ALSO: West Shore RCMP pull over vehicle held together by tape and cargo strap
The officer, also a drug recognition expert, determined the second woman was impaired by drugs and her vehicle was impounded. During investigation, the officer found several firearms in the vehicle including four semi-automatic rifles and a semi-automatic shotgun. One of the rifles and the shotgun was found loaded.
Although the woman did have a valid firearms licence, loaded firearms in a vehicle are illegal. Given her impaired state and the unsafe storage, this was a public safety concern and the guns were seized. The woman will be facing both impaired driving as well as firearms related offences.
Â
Do you have a story tip? Email: c.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.
