Sicamous RCMP stopped three impaired drivers in the first week of May, doubling down on one of those with the seizure of illegal cigarettes.

On May 3, officers conducted a traffic stop on the Solsqua-Sicamous Road near Highway 1, with the licence plate of the vehicle found to be expired. That proved to be just the first of three strikes against the driver.

鈥淎 large bag was discovered on the passenger seat which contained illegal cigarettes that did not display the Provincial Excise markings,鈥� Sgt. Murray McNeil said in a May 14 media release, adding 鈥渢he officer noted open liquor in the vehicle and a breath demand was made.鈥�

The driver provided breath samples that resulted in a 鈥渇ail鈥� test. His driver鈥檚 licence was suspended for 90 days, the vehicle impounded for 30 and the cigarettes were seized under the Excise Act.

The following day, on May 4, an officer was following a pickup truck seen swerving in its lane prior to stopping in Sicamous. An odour of liquor was detected on the driver, which resulted in a breath demand.

鈥淭he driver refused to comply with the breath demand and, as such, his driver鈥檚 licence was suspended for 90 days and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days,鈥� McNeil said.

On May 7, Sicamous RCMP encountered a repeat offender when they conducted a traffic stop on Highway 1 in Malakwa after the driver of a pickup truck was observed speeding.

The driver was found to be prohibited from driving Canada wide under the Criminal Code after being found guilty of impaired driving in Saskatchewan in 2022.

鈥淭he driver was arrested for the offence and he was read a breath demand after an odour of liquor was detected on his person,鈥� McNeil said, adding that the man provided two failed breath samples. 鈥淗is vehicle was impounded for 30 days and a further 90 day suspension was issued on his driver鈥檚 licence.鈥�

The man was given a court date to appear in Salmon Arm on charges of prohibited driving and breach of probation.

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