What started out as a shoplifting investigation led Gander RCMP to lay drug charges against a man from Gander Bay.

Police received a complaint on Tuesday evening about an alleged shoplifting incident at the Dominion in Gander.

Police were told a woman entered the grocery store and left without paying for a number of food items.

She left the parking lot in a grey Toyota Camry. A vehicle matching that description was pulled over a short time later and the occupants, a man and a woman were arrested for shoplifting.

Eighteen grams of cocaine, with an estimated street value of between $1400 and $1800, were found inside the vehicle along with drug paraphernalia.

A 34-year-old George’s Point man is facing charges of possession of cocaine while a 30-year-old Carmanville woman has been charged with theft.

The pair were released to appear in court at a later date.