Nanaimo coach faces drug charges

The assistant coach of a Nanaimo minor football league is alleged to have sold illegal drugs during practices.

A 30-year-old man was arrested at a sports field at John Barsby School about 7 p.m. Thursday following a drug investigation by Nanaimo RCMP.

Levar Anthony Hayden, 30, has been charged with six counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of stolen property, said Nanaimo RCMP Const. Gary O’Brien.

A 40-year-old woman was arrested and released without charges.

Rob Stevenson, president of South-Side Minor Football Association, said the club is “completely surprised, shocked and dismayed” by the allegations. The association’s players are between the ages of seven and 18.

There was no evidence that players were being sold drugs.

“Our association followed all reasonable protocols regarding the volunteer involved with this incident,” Stevenson said. Those checks included a mandatory RCMP background check.

“There was zero previous behaviour that would have given us any indication” of possible criminal activity, he said.

Stevenson said the football association has ended its affiliation with Hayden.

Police said they seized a quantity of drugs from a central Nanaimo home, along with 30 suspected stolen credit cards, four cellphones, a switchblade and $1,260 in cash.

Hayden appeared before a Nanaimo provincial court judge on Friday afternoon and has been released from custody.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 26.