Nelson police are saying that the seizure of $40,000 (street value) of cocaine will have a temporary effect on the Nelson drug market, but it will be short lived.
Sgt. Howie Grant said the police department won’t disclose the specifics of how much is actually in police possession, but said it will come out in court.
“Let’s just say it’s a lot,” said Grant. “On the street one gram of cocaine goes for nearly $100.”
Grant said Nelson is typically known as a “pot town” and that cocaine isn’t a major problem in the community.
When asked why cocaine has the perception of being more “serious” than marijuana, he said the media plays a big role in that image.
“Marijuana is known as a gateway drug for a reason. It often leads people to more serious substances like cocaine,” said Grant. “We definitely don’t treat any drug as less or more serious than another.”
A 27 year old Nelson man was arrested on December 19 after police found a large amount of cocaine in a Nelson residence.
The Nelson police are recommending charges including possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.
The man will appear in Nelson Provincial Court on March 6, 2012.