A lengthy investigation involving BC RCMP and the FBI has culminated in the arrest of several people, and the seizure of dozens of different drugs, along with a large amount of cash, gold and silver bars.
The investigation took place between September and December of 2021.
BC RCMP’s Federal Serious and Organized Crime – Major Projects, who specifically target organized crime groups whose criminal activities have provincial and national implications for Canada, were actively involved in the case from start to finish.
Police on Vancouver Island executed a series of search warrants, and other enforcement actions, in connection with a drug trafficking investigation.
Investigators searched five vehicles and six residences in Vancouver and Victoria, which resulted in the arrest of six people, the seizure of drugs, Canadian currency, gold and silver bars.
The drugs seized consisted of:
- 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, along with approximately 26 kilograms of buff such as Benzocaine and Procaine
- 1.5 kilograms of MDMA/MDA (Ecstasy)
- 0.5 kilograms of ketamine
- 0.5 kilograms of methamphetamine
- 6770 doses of LSD
- 5000 tablets of counterfeit Xanax (Etizolam)
- 60 litres of Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
- 2 lbs of dried cannabis / 534 Packages edible cannabis products
- 2.5 lbs Psilocybin
- 115 bottles of anabolic steroids in 35 different chemical forms
- And 0.5 kilograms assorted drugs such as opium and heroin cut with fentanyl; N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT); 5-Methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-DiPT, aka Foxy Methoxy); and Benzylpiperazin (BZP)
Buff is a substance that is added to cocaine, or other drugs, to increase profitability by increasing the weight while effectively reducing the drug content per gram.
RCMP also said they seized hundreds of packages of illicit Cannabis edibles, including:
- gummies
- granola
- chocolates
- pills
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) water enhancers
- Transdermal THC patches
- THC Hot Chocolate along with dried cannabis buds and concentrated cannabis extracts and vaping products
In addition to the wide variety of illegal drugs, investigators also seized $367,346 cash, 15 ounces of gold estimated to be worth approximately $35,988 and 205 ounces of silver estimated to be worth approximately $5,977, based on current market price at the time of publishing.
“In BC, criminal organizations have made significant investments in the illicit drug trade which has had a lasting negative impact on our society,” said Superintendent Richard Bergevin, officer in charge of BC RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime – Major Projects.
“The damage to our communities is immeasurable and families across our country continue to feel the losses to overdose and addiction.”
No charges have yet been laid but the investigation is ongoing, according to police.
