Drone operator stringing up fishing line in dangerous manner, say Nanaimo RCMP

Police saysomeone appears to have used a drone to string up fishing line in adangerous manneraroundNanaimo, B.C.

Sgt. Sheryl Armstrong said BC Hydro contacted RCMP after fishing line was found wrapped around power lines, trees, through yards and across roadsin theWaddingtonandDufferinareas.

"This is extremely dangerous behaviour as it could cause outages, accidents," Armstrong said.

Police say they found a small flashlight and headlampattached to the power lines, leading them to believe thesuspect was flying the drone at night.

In one case,the fishing line was strung up near the helicopter landing pad for the Nanaimo hospital.

"You can imagine if a helicopter struck those wires what could happen," Armstrongsaid.

Police say the person responsible could face mischief charges.BC Hydro says they could also be on the hook for the cost of damage to the power lines.

"I don't know what they are doing or who is doing it, so I can't say if it's purposeful, but what I can say is that it's very negligent in what they are doing because they are putting our crews at risk and they are putting the public at risk," said BC Hydro spokesman TedOlynyk.