Second Narrows traffic stop in North Van yields drugs, sawed-off shotgun

A minor traffic stop by police on the Second Narrows Bridge Monday evening has netted drugs, cash and a sawed-off shotgun.

A North Vancouver RCMP officer first spotted a vehicle speeding on to the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing, said Sgt. Peter DeVries of the North Vancouver RCMP. When the driver didn’t signal a lane change, the police officer pulled it over.

One of the three occupants turned out to be wanted on an outstanding warrant.

A subsequent search of the vehicle turned up “a sizeable amount” of cash, said DeVries, plus drug trafficking paraphernalia and a sawed-off shotgun.

Benjamin James Gilleland, a 35-year-old resident of Surrey, was held in custody to be brought before a judge on the outstanding warrant, while the other two occupants were released at the scene, said DeVries.

Police are continuing to investigate potential drug and weapons charges.