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Federal drug unit probe in South Surrey part of 㽶Ƶֱmajor㽶Ƶֱ B.C.-wide synthetic-opioid bust

Search warrant executed March 1 was among 11 executed across B.C.

A search warrant that brought the Mounties㽶Ƶֱ Federal Clandestine Laboratory Team to South Surrey earlier this month was part of a major organized-crime investigation that spanned national boundaries.

Thursday (March 16), officials with the Federal Serious and Organized Crime announced four arrests and the seizure of millions of doses of potentially toxic drugs and precursor chemicals, in connection with warrants executed in five Lower Mainland cities.

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Monday (March 20), Staff Sgt. Kris Clark confirmed that police activity at a home near 134 Street and 26 Avenue in South Surrey on March 1 was part of that investigation.

While a news tip sent to Black Press Media reported that one person was seen arrested at the targeted South Surrey home, Clark would not disclose where any of the four arrests 㽶Ƶֱ one of which was described as a 㽶ƵֱProvincial Targeting Enforcement Priority㽶Ƶֱ for his alleged involvement in the ongoing violent gang conflict in Metro Vancouver 㽶Ƶֱ took place, nor would he share what police found at the scene.

㽶ƵֱI am not at liberty to detail any arrests or seizures as they relate to specific locations at this time,㽶Ƶֱ Clark told Peace Arch News by email.

According to a news release, a total of 11 search warrants were executed simultaneously across Vancouver, North Vancouver, Delta, Richmond and Surrey in connection with the investigation.

The seizures resulted in 㽶Ƶֱsignificant seizures of various types of finished pills and pressed tablets, three firearms, cash, electronic devices, significant quantities of precursor chemicals, and multi-kilograms of other illicit substances,㽶Ƶֱ the release states.

㽶ƵֱLocated at one of the sites was a significantly advanced pill pressing operation capable of producing approximately 60,000 pills per hour when in full operation. Although a large number of additional seized exhibits are still being processed, current estimates put the total quantity of pills seized to be in excess of one million tablets.㽶Ƶֱ

The operation began in September 2022 and 㽶Ƶֱquickly revealed that several individuals㽶Ƶֱ were involved in the ongoing B.C. gang conflict, the release continues.

Other agencies involved in the operation included FSOC㽶Ƶֱs Major Projects and Border Integrity teams; the BC RCMP Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team; Surrey, North Vancouver, and Richmond RCMP; Vancouver Police Department (VPD) Emergency Response Team; VPD; and the BC RCMP Legal Applications Support Team.

㽶ƵֱThe indisputable timeliness of this enforcement action comes in the midst of a continuing public health emergency, which is in large part precipitated by the toxic supply of fentanyl that fuels the ongoing opioids crisis,㽶Ƶֱ FSOC Major Projects㽶Ƶֱ acting Supt. Jillian Wellard said in the release.

㽶ƵֱThe significant amount of illicit drugs seized, as well as the dismantling of this criminal network and their sophisticated pill-pressing operation has prevented millions of potentially lethal doses of toxic drugs from entering our communities.㽶Ƶֱ

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According to the latest report from the BC Coroners Service, the toxic-drug supply claimed the lives of at least 211 people in January 㽶Ƶֱ around seven people per day 㽶Ƶֱ marking the eighth time in the past 16 months that the death toll has surpassed 200.

The bust was one of two separate investigations that resulted in a total of six arrests.

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The second 㽶Ƶֱ a 22-month-long investigation that also included a search in Surrey 㽶Ƶֱ resulted in the arrest of one man and one woman for their alleged involvement in importing chemicals required to make illicit drugs. Police seized 600 kilograms of a fentanyl precursor valued at $600,000, and 200 kilograms of an MDMA precursor valued at $120,000.

It㽶Ƶֱs estimated the quantities could have produced 262 million doses of fentanyl and three million doses of MDMA.

Police also seized three high-end vehicles, two luxury watches, electronic goods, cash and cannabis.

While both investigations are ongoing, police believe the recent enforcement actions 㽶Ƶֱundoubtedly caused a major blow to the organized crime groups involved.㽶Ƶֱ

-files from Jane Skrypnek, Black Press Media



tracy.holmes@peacearchnews.com
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Tracy Holmes

About the Author: Tracy Holmes

Tracy Holmes has been a reporter with Peace Arch News since 1997.
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