A search of a vehicle after the arrest of a 49-year-old Nanaimo man turned up a loaded handgun.
According to Nanaimo RCMP, Kerry Chang was arrested at about 1:30 a.m. on Sunday near the Jingle Pot Road intersection on Nanaimo Parkway. Police said because of the possibility of weapons, the Vancouver Island Emergency Response Team was called in for the arrest.
Chang and two passengers, a 33-year-old female and a 34-year-old male, were arrested without incident. A search of the vehicle turned up a loaded, semi-automatic handgun tucked between the front seats. Police also recovered $7,138, several knives and small baggies they believe contained cocaine and crystal meth.
"Chang has a long history of violence, drug offences and property-related occurrences throughout Nanaimo," said Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, in a press release. "His designation as a prolific offender chronicles a well-documented history of criminal activity and his arrest should bring some degree of comfort to the citizens of Nanaimo."
Chang was held in custody and on Monday charged with seven Criminal Code violations relating to the firearm seized by police.
The two passengers were released and are expected to make their first court appearance on drug-related charges in provincial court in Nanaimo on Feb. 4.
