A man from Sooke was arrested on two separate occasions in the past 12 days for numerous charges including several firearm and drug-related offences, according to RCMP.
Ziploc bags filled with pills, handguns, rifles, multiple cans of bear spray, brass knuckles and multiple firearm magazines were all on display in a news release put out by Sooke RCMP on Thursday.
Ryan Strom, 34, was first arrested Jan. 14 when Sooke RCMP searched a fortified cabin in the 6600-block of Sooke Road. Officers say they found approximately two kilograms of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and four automatic firearms.
Just 12 days later on Jan. 26, Strom was arrested again when an investigation led Mounties from both the Sooke and West Shore detachments to another property in Sooke, this time at the 7100-block of West Coast Road.
This time, investigators said they found a large assortment of prohibited devices, including high-capacity magazines, a conducted energy weapon, knives and a large cache of ammunition. Once again, Strom was arrested and charged.
He is facing a slew of charges from both dates. They range from drug-related trafficking offences to prohibited firearm and weapon charges, including:
- Two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking
- Two counts of possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
- Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized
- Careless storage of a firearm
- Breach of release order
“These circumstances, particularly in close proximity to local elementary schools, are of the highest priority to the Sooke RCMP,” said Sgt. Kevin Shaw, the Acting Commander for Sooke RCMP.
At this time, Strom remains in custody pending a court appearance later this month, Feb. 28.
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