A seven month investigation into an alleged drug trafficking ring with Chilliwack connections has ended with several arrests and the seizure of millions of dollars in drugs.
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia, the province's top anti-gang police unit, carried out the investigation.
Starting in August of 2014, officers zeroed in on an alleged distribution network based out of an apartment in the 45600 block of Brett Avenue in Chilliwack. Police raided the apartment in November, arresting two suspects and seizing 10 kilograms of cocaine, a large cocaine press, drug-packing material and other items.
The two men were released and tracked until last month, when police moved in for a massive bust.
On Feb. 26 the CFSEU-BC, with help from the RCMP's Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team, raided several locations.
The first search warrant was executed in the 45500 block of McIntosh Drive, which police believed was a stash house.
The second was executed in the 8800 block of Nowell Street, where a suspect lived.
No one was home at McIntosh Drive, but two people, a 23 year old man and 21 year old woman, were arrested at the Nowell Street address.
Meanwhile, police also visited three storage lockers in Chilliwack.
Two men, 22 and 24 years old, were arrested leaving one of the storage lockers. A 22 year old man was arrested arriving at one.
Police seized the following:
4.559 kilograms of marijuana with an estimated street value of $12,000
1.669 kg of crystal methamphetamine valued at $40,000
709.1 grams of crystal MDMA, or Molly, valued at $4,000
324.1 g of crack cocaine valued at $18,500
2.588 kg of powder cocaine valued at $125,000
2.136 kg of Fentanyl powder valued at $284,800
12.83 kg, or approximately 43,000 of Fentanyl pills valued between $3.44 million and $4.3 million (selling for $80-$100 per pill in northern B.C.)
56.777 kg Phenacetin (used as a cocaine cutting/buffing agent, valued at $114,000
54 ‘tubs’ of MSM or Methylsulfonylmethane (used as a cocaine cutting/buffing agent), valued at $1,300
Three Norinco SKS 7.62 millimeter semi-automatic rifles
One prohibited gun magazine.
Two Lucznik BRS99 nine mm sub-machine guns equipped with sound suppressors and magazines
One Smith and Wesson M&P nine mm semi-automatic handgun with two magazines and ammunition
One Smith and Wesson 66 .357 calibre revolver
One Norinco 54-1 7.62 mm semi-automatic handgun
Six boxes of various calibers of ammunition
The total street value of all of the drugs together, seized between November and February, is estimated to be $5,155,000.
The five people arrested have been released from custody, with charges pending.
Once forensic analysis of the seized items is complete, more arrests are expected.
Police believe this Chilliwack-based criminal cell operated most of their alleged drug trafficking activities in cities and towns from Williams Lake to as far north as Fort St John and Dawson Creek, while also supplying the local market.
“This investigation and the subsequent seizures will likely have a significant disruptive effect on this group’s ability to conduct crime in B.C.’s central and north regions and put people at risk,” said CFSEU-BC spokesperson, Sgt. Lindsey Houghton. “We have all heard of the dangers that drugs like Fentanyl pose to users and we are extremely pleased that we could make B.C.’s streets safer.”
Audio from Wednesday's news conference: