Police arrest three, seize drugs and sawed-off shotgun in Douglas St traffic stop

Two men and one woman are facing charges of drug trafficking and firearm-related offences following a month-long investigation resulting in the seizure of weapons and drugs.

Arrested were 32-year-old Michael Phillip Desbiens of Sidney, 42-year-old James Derosier of Victoria, and 26-year-old Marin Elyse Marie Gillis of Saanich.

The charges are the result of a traffic stop on Wednesday in the 2600 block of Douglas Street. Officers conducted surveillance on the vehicle and watched what was believed to be a drug deal.

The suspects were also part of a month-long drug trafficking investigation, according to Saanich Police.

During the arrest, police found methamphetamines, cocaine, heroin, cash, ammunition and a sawed-off shotgun inside the vehicle.

“This is another example of how our various Police agencies work together during the course of our investigations,” said Sgt. Dean Jantzen. “We all have a common goal of keeping our communities safe and getting drugs and guns off our streets is a high priority.”

Desbiens and Derosier appeared in Victoria Provincial Court on June 29th and Gillis will appear in mid-August.