RCMP Apprehend Lethal Doses of Fentanyl in British Columbia

"The precursor chemical in combination with the finished fentanyl products seized at this location could have amounted to 95 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl, which have been prevented from entering Canadian communities and markets abroad."

"To put things into more context, the over 95 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl that have been seized could have taken the lives of every Canadian at least twice over."

"Investigators seized a total of 89 firearms, which included dozens of handguns, AR-style assault rifles and submachine guns, many of which were loaded and ready to use."

"The searches also yielded several explosive devices, a massive amount of ammunition, firearm silencers, high-capacity magazines, body armour, and $500,000 in cash."

Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, head, RCMP federal policing program, British Columbia

RCMP in Surrey, B.C.drug seizure,  David Teboul second from left. The Canadian Press via AP

 

The largest illicit drug lab ever discovered in Canada has been taken down by a specialized RCMP unit, which seized record amounts of drugs, precursor chemicals and firearms. A clandestine operation in Falkland, British Columbia, east of Kamloops was the venue that was raided. To this point one person only has had a number of drug and firearm charges lodged against him. More arrests are expected as the investigation continues, and it is anticipated that Gaganpreet Randhawa will not be long in his solitary charges before he is joined by others in the  group.

 

According to RCMP Assistant Commissioner Teboul, 54 kilograms of finished fentanyl was seized, 390 kilograms of methamphetamine, 35 kilograms of cocaine, 15 kilograms of MDMA, and six kilograms of cannabis. Tonnes of precursor chemicals used in the production of crystal meth "has not been seen in Western Canada until now". The dismantling and clean-up of the Falkland lab had a hefty price tag of over $1million. "These expenditures have a direct impact on our operating budgets, resources, and ultimately take away from funds that are provided by Canadians for police to do its work".

Destined both for the domestic market and for export, the synthetic drugs are linked to the expansion of Canadian gangs in connection to smuggling tonnes of methamphetamine through the Port of Vancouver to waiting markets in Australia and New Zealand preying on populations in some Pacific Island nations. "Super labs" in B.C. make use of  sophisticated methods in evading prosecution. Reports identified groups such as Hell's Angels, Wolfpack and United Nations working alongside Mexican cartels, Asian triads and Middle East organized crime groups whose profits enable terrorism.

"[The British Columbia investigation and resulting seizures have] also served to deny this transnational organized crime group an estimated $485 million in profits."

"This enforcement action has neutralized a key production facility that is believed to have been responsible for the production, the distribution of unprecedented qualities of fentanyl and methamphetamine into Canada and abroad."

Assistant Commissioner, David Teboul, RCMP

The RCMP special unit has been working in tandem with "five eyes" partners; the U.S., U.K., Australia and New Zealand. "Canada's Border Services Agency along with the RCMP also detected and interdicted 310 kilograms of methamphetamine prior to the international departure", stated Asst. Commissioner Teboul. Investigators linked the Falkland lab to a property nearby located in Enderby where a huge stash of precursor chemicals was found, long with a truck owned by Independent Soldiers gangster Donnie Lyons, assassinated in June.

"I think it's time for our justice system to catch up to the reality of the danger of these drugs."

"Investigators are working to determine the common source of these chemicals and all individuals involved."

"And I think it's time for a justice system to be increasingly stiff to this parasitic behaviour, whether it's by people that are operating in Canada or out of Canada."

Assistant Commissioner, David Teboul, RCMP

Firearms and illicit drugs seized last week. Canadian Press