KELOWNA – Vials containing the bacteria E. coli, apparently stolen from a medical laboratory, have been discovered at a transient camp near Munson Pond.
The unusual find by local bylaw officers prompted a call to Kelowna RCMP and a local hazardous material disposal company, who sent out personnel to retrieve the vials.
“It’s pretty common for us to find transient camps in that area, certainly through the summer months, but it’s not common to find stolen material from a lab,” director of protective services Rob Mayne says.
Mayne says some of his officers were on a regular patrol and had identified a transient camp in an isolated area near Benvoulin Road and KLO Road where they discovered the tent.
“They did what they normally do which is give a warning by deflating the tent and leaving a business card hoping they will voluntarily leave.”