Two Nanaimo men arrested in 2019 are now facing multiple charges connected to drug importation and trafficking investigation that netted 10 kilograms of cocaine.
According to a BC RCMP press release, both men had court appearances in Nanaimo this week to answer to the drug trafficking charges related to an investigation two years ago by the RCMP’s serious and organized crime major projects division.
Gerhard “Gary” Laufer and Gerry David Allen Grieve were arrested in connection with an alleged drug importation following what RCMP described as a “lengthy, complex investigation” in November 2019.
Police searched a commercial vehicle and secondary transport vehicle at the time of the arrests and seized the vehicles and 10 kilograms of cocaine found in an electronically controlled compartment.
Subsequent search warrants executed on properties related to the individuals resulted in the seizure of a small amount of cocaine and other paraphernalia commonly associated to drug trafficking.
“Drug traffickers use many tactics to prevent the detection of their illicit loads during transport,” said Supt. Richard Bergevin, Officer in Charge of the BC RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime – Major Projects.
“This includes the use of increasingly sophisticated technologies to further conceal hidden compartments.”
Laufer is facing two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking while Grieve is facing drug trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, and drug importation charges.
Both men appeared in court on Tuesday.
