Throughout the afternoon of Sunday, September 7, a total of six people were arrested in relation to an ongoing drug investigation.
With the assistance of members from VICPD, CFSEU, and RCU, the Saanich Police Department Street Crime Unit gathered sufficient information to establish that there appeared to be an active illicit drug distribution operation stemming from an apartment located in the 100 block of Gorge Road West.
During the investigation, it was determined that persons of interest identified throughout the course of the investigation had apparent connection to criminal affiliations in the Lower Mainland.
A 41 year old female, a resident of Saanich, was held in custody and faces recommended charges of: three counts of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking , one count of Unsafe Storage of a Firearm, two counts of Breach of Recognizance, one count of Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, and one count of Possession of Credit Card Data
A 36 year old male, a resident of Saanich, was held in custody and faces charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking.
A 35 year old female, a resident of Saanich, was released. Charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance have been recommended to Crown.
A 22 year old male, a resident of Sooke, was arrested for Breach of Recognizance and held to appear in court.
A 29 year old male, from the Vancouver area, was arrested and held on outstanding warrants from a jurisdiction in the Lower Mainland, and held to appear in court. The warrants were for Theft and Obstructing a Police Officer.
A 31 year old female, from the Vancouver area, was released from custody. Investigators are considering a charge of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking against this female.
A search warrant was executed on the apartment where activity was observed, and included the search of three vehicles related to the investigation. Included in the list of items found during the searches were:
– a .22 calibre semi-automatic rifle, complete with loaded magazine
– two replica handguns
– two canisters of bear spray
– approximately 26 litres of suspected GHB or precursor.
– 100 grams of suspected crystal meth (4 ounces)
– 100 grams of suspected heroin (4 ounces)
– 16 grams of suspected marihuana
– approximately $20,000 Canadian currency
– suspected stolen property, including credit card info
– records of sales, scales, and packaging materials consistent with packaging illicit drugs for sale
While the investigation is ongoing, it is expected that the 41 year old female and the 35 year old male will appear in court today.
“This is a significant file that involved the arrest of suspects that were conducting drug transactions in a well populated neigbourhood” Sgt. Steve Eassie said. “It was a culmination of efforts and information from several area police resources, including VICPD, CFSEU, and members from RCU. The sharing of information and collaboration of resources led to the removal of a drug operation from this neighbourhood”.
