A lock-picking kit, a cell phone jammer, credit card swipers and a Taser disguised as a flashlight were just some of the unique items seized in a recent drug bust by Saanich Police.
On Tuesday, acting Sgt. Jereme Leslie held a press conference to show off some of the legal and illegal paraphernalia that police and the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team found last week during a search at a home in the 800-block of Marigold Road, across from Hyacinth Park. Numerous weapons were recovered, including a rifle, replica firearms, swords, knives, batons, axes, a crossbow and brass knuckles.
The drugs seized included crack cocaine, heroin, crystal meth, marijuana, a variety of prescription pills and GHB, more commonly known as the date rape drug.
“The street value on the drugs alone right now are at approximately $20,000,” Leslie told reporters.
The bust – which followed a two-month joint investigation between members of Saanich Police’s property crime and drug units – also included a safe, some cash and stolen property, which police are still processing. As a result, police arrested Randy Patrick Smith, 41, and Tammy Marie Jasper, 38.
“This was a significant investigation resulting in the arrest of a man that’s very well known to us, and he has been conducting a drug operation very close to a school where a lot of members of the community such as children and different sports organizations gather,” said Leslie.
“When you’re setting up shop right across the street from a local park, that’s extremely concerning.”
Leslie said Smith has already appeared in court and that a number of charges have been approved against him, with more pending. Leslie said he believes Smith is still in custody while Jasper is out on a number of conditions.
“A number of charges have been laid, and as the investigation continues, we expect more charges to be laid at that time,” he said.
jacob.zinn@saanichnews.com
