INCREASED HEROIN APPEARANCE UNSETTLES RCMP

Heroin's growing presence in Vernon is increasingly a concern for the
police.

RCMP officers searched two units at a motel Jan. 2 and they found 13
grams of heroin, 56 grams of cocaine, about $1,500 in cash and a
loaded nine-millimetre handgun.

It's just the latest incident in which officers have found
heroin.

"Heroin was minor but there's more mention of heroin lately," said
Gord Molendyk, RCMP spokesman.

Molendyk believes the drugs seized Jan. 2 were an indication of
commercial sales.

"It was a fair amount of drugs. There was more than personal use
here," he said.

A 25-year-old Vernon man taken into custody is facing drug and
firearm-related charges, and while four other individuals have been
released, they could also be charged in future.

"The investigation is still ongoing," said Molendyk.