Police said they intercepted a 28-year-old man carrying 73 kilograms of cocaine in his vehicle on a British Columbia highway earlier this month.

Officers from the BC Highway Patrol and Sicamous RCMP conducted a traffic stop on October 8 in southern British Columbia on Highway 1 near Malakwa. Insp. Lori Orstad believes this discovery has all the hallmarks of organized crime.

“This is a very large quantity of drugs, so (we) certainly expect to see an impact on illegal drug trafficking operations in the province,” Orstad said.

The driver has not been identified until charges are approved, but police say he is a Surrey man.

Orstad said the operation that uncovered the cocaine is part of an ongoing effort to take “dangerous drugs out of circulation” and prevent them from reaching B.C. communities.

Police officers from Burnaby and Nelson also participated in the seizure.

The driver has since been released on conditions and is expected to appear in court.

The vehicle was seized and the investigation continues.