Undercover sting nets powder at B.C. ski hill

Undercover work by police at a Kelowna-area ski hill last month netted two arrests and seven charges relating to the posession and distribution of cocaine and mushrooms.

West Kelowna RCMP Const. Michael Taylor said members of the West Kelowna General Investigation Section, with help from the RCMP's Kelowna Detachment, conducted a "street-level" operation to target drug dealers on the mountain at the Big White Ski Resort.

'It is anticipated that these arrests will disrupt the availability of harmful drugs in the community of Big White.' —West Kelowna RCMP Const. Michael Taylor

In operation E-Paratroop, undercover officers made a total of seven drug buys from five different men, who ranged in age from 20 to 26 years old. The purchases were made on the ski slopes, and within some of the businesses on the ski hill.

"The main drug involved was powder cocaine but psilocybin [magic mushrooms] was also found," Taylor said in a written statement.

RCMP based in West Kelowna arrested two of the men, and say further arrests are pending.

"It is anticipated that these arrests will disrupt the availability of harmful drugs in the community of Big White," he said.

Because one of the arrested men is from the U.K. and the other is Australian, police have called in the Canadian Border Services Agency to assist with court processes. West Kelowna RCMP said it is forwarding "numerous charges" of trafficking controlled substances to Crown Counsel for consideration.

West Kelowna RCMP also said the management team at Big White has been working with police to reduce drug trafficking at the resort.

Big White is approximately 60 kilometres southeast of Kelowna.