The recent arrest of a 20-year-old man and the seizure of 55 packages of individual drug packages, the second such bust within weeks, is just part of the Ridge Meadows RCMP’s anti-drug efforts.
Cpl. Alanna Dunlop said all members can and do make drug arrests.
The most recent, of the man on Brown Avenue on Aug. 18, was made by a sergeant on general duty patrol.
But traffic cops and any other officers can make arrests.
Usually, though, when it comes to targeting organized drug crime, the street enforcement unit is the lead team, said Dunlop.
The arrest was also the second recently made during which packages of drugs, individually wrapped and ready for sale and delivery, were seized.
In the latest, police found 55 individual baggies of suspected drugs, including fentanyl, as well as heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine and cash.
It’s not known if the fentanyl was mixed with other drugs or being sold by itself.
On Aug. 7, police stopped a pickup truck on 203rd Street and Dewdney Trunk Road and seized 11 individual packages of cocaine, as well as small amounts of crack cocaine, heroin and several green pills, which they suspect to be fentanyl.
Dunlop said while there’s been no ramping up in drug arrests or investigations, police are trying tell the public more when they do make larger drug seizures. That’s now an easier task thanks to social media, such as Facebook or Twitter.
Nor is there an increase in drug activity in downtown Maple Ridge.
She added that responding to calls about suspicious people or vehicles is their most common type of complaint.
“We always ensure we are on the lookout for outstanding arrest warrants, stolen property, drugs or any other criminal offence,” Dunlop said.
All types of illegal drugs are being targeted. “However, the impact of fentanyl is of particular concern due to the information from Fraser Health citing the potency of the drug.”
“Police all around the region are working together to see if we can stop or slow down the synthetic drug distribution groups.”
Last week, both agencies issued a warning about the drug.
