Drugs

(Phil McLachlan/Capital News/Stock)

23 arrested after investigation into ‘largescale’ northern B.C. drug operation

RCMP call arrests a ‘significant disruption of an entrenched organized crime group’

(Phil McLachlan/Capital News/Stock)
Ridge Meadows RCMP marked their largest-ever seizure of fentanyl, along with other hard drugs on the Feb. 2, 2022 bust in Maple Ridge and New Westminster. (RCMP/Special to The News)

Charges laid against three individuals involved in major B.C. drug operation

April Dawn Fraser, Daniel Kawaguchi Johnson, and Alen Kadunic are facing a combined 18 charges

Ridge Meadows RCMP marked their largest-ever seizure of fentanyl, along with other hard drugs on the Feb. 2, 2022 bust in Maple Ridge and New Westminster. (RCMP/Special to The News)
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside promises more action on dealing with toxic drug deaths while also blaming past governments and COVID-19 for undoing previous progress. Photo by Myriam Zilles on Unsplash

Toxic drug death figures ‘distressing’ minister says as critics accuse NDP of failure

Jennifer Whiteside promises more action, but also blames B.C. Liberals and COVID

Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside promises more action on dealing with toxic drug deaths while also blaming past governments and COVID-19 for undoing previous progress. Photo by Myriam Zilles on Unsplash
A person in Nelson holds a bag with 2.5 grams of methamphetamine. Possession of that amount of certain types of drugs, including meth, was decriminalized in B.C. as of Jan. 31. (Tyler Harper/Black Press)

‘People are still going to die’: Kelowna advocate speaks out on drug decriminalization

Decriminalization will free up the court systems to deal with ‘bigger fish’, said Angie Lohr

A person in Nelson holds a bag with 2.5 grams of methamphetamine. Possession of that amount of certain types of drugs, including meth, was decriminalized in B.C. as of Jan. 31. (Tyler Harper/Black Press)
A woman who passed out in a stranger’s house with a gun and drugs was arrested on Jan. 8. (Brendan Shykora - Black Press File)

Stranger passes out in B.C. home with drugs and a gun

Multiple charges including drug trafficking are being recommended by RCMP

A woman who passed out in a stranger’s house with a gun and drugs was arrested on Jan. 8. (Brendan Shykora - Black Press File)
A pouch containing crystallized methamphetamine and a homemade pipe are shown March 21, 2006, in Window Rock, Ariz. Decriminalization of some hard drugs began in B.C. on Tuesday after the federal government granted B.C.’s request for an exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act as part of a plan to combat an overdose crisis that has claimed over 11,000 lives since 2016.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Matt York

Drug users say B.C. ‘fight continues’ during decriminalization amid safe supply calls

Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users handing out ‘know your rights’ cards in wake of new policy

A pouch containing crystallized methamphetamine and a homemade pipe are shown March 21, 2006, in Window Rock, Ariz. Decriminalization of some hard drugs began in B.C. on Tuesday after the federal government granted B.C.’s request for an exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act as part of a plan to combat an overdose crisis that has claimed over 11,000 lives since 2016.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Matt York
B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, from left to right, Carolyn Bennett, federal minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside stand together during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. Decriminalization of people with small amounts of illegal drugs for their own use has become a reality in British Columbia, but substance users and researchers say the move is expected to make little immediate difference because of a toxic drug supply that is killing people. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘Dangerous’ to think B.C.’s decriminalization plan will reduce OD deaths: researcher

Users will not be arrested or have their drugs seized by police starting Tuesday

B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, from left to right, Carolyn Bennett, federal minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside stand together during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. Decriminalization of people with small amounts of illegal drugs for their own use has become a reality in British Columbia, but substance users and researchers say the move is expected to make little immediate difference because of a toxic drug supply that is killing people. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A person in Nelson holds a bag with 2.5 grams of methamphetamine. Possession of that amount of certain types of drugs, including meth, will be decriminalized in B.C. as of Jan. 31. Photo: Tyler Harper

B.C. drug advocates cautiously optimistic about decriminalization

But there remains concerns about how possession will be enforced

A person in Nelson holds a bag with 2.5 grams of methamphetamine. Possession of that amount of certain types of drugs, including meth, will be decriminalized in B.C. as of Jan. 31. Photo: Tyler Harper
The Bass Coast and Shambhala electronic music festivals each host drug-checking services. An Interior Health report shows a rise in festival goers having their drugs checked, especially if they bought drugs at the festival. Photo: Bass Coast

B.C. music festival visitors more likely to use drug-checking services: Interior Health

A report found high uptake of drug testing at the Bass Coast and Shambhala music festivals

The Bass Coast and Shambhala electronic music festivals each host drug-checking services. An Interior Health report shows a rise in festival goers having their drugs checked, especially if they bought drugs at the festival. Photo: Bass Coast
A drug “super lab” was busted in Abbotsford in January 2022. Three men have now been charged. (BC RCMP photo)

Drug ‘super lab’ in Abbotsford could have produced 27M lethal doses of fentanyl, say police

Three men charged after investigation in Abbotsford and Surrey that began in August 2021

A drug “super lab” was busted in Abbotsford in January 2022. Three men have now been charged. (BC RCMP photo)
Back on Track recovery house operator Cole Izsak (left) and South Surrey parent Maggie Plett (holding a photo of her son, Zachary) walk north along White Rock’s Johnston Road with dozens of others in a 2019 effort to raise awareness around the overdose crisis. (Tracy Holmes file photo)

Decriminalizing small amounts of illicit drugs ‘may save pain, lives,’ says expert

Concerns expressed as B.C. approaches Jan. 31 launch of three-year pilot

Back on Track recovery house operator Cole Izsak (left) and South Surrey parent Maggie Plett (holding a photo of her son, Zachary) walk north along White Rock’s Johnston Road with dozens of others in a 2019 effort to raise awareness around the overdose crisis. (Tracy Holmes file photo)
A heavily armed army convoy departs the prosecutor’s building where Ovidio Guzmán, one of the sons of former Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán, is in custody in Mexico City, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. The mayor of a Mexican city caught up in a wave of drug cartel violence last week wasted little time reassuring Canadians and other foreign visitors that his city is safe for travellers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Fernando Llano

Mazatlán mayor reassures Canadians and other visitors following cartel violence

Canadian tourists had to remain in hotels for days after arrest of major alleged drug leader

A heavily armed army convoy departs the prosecutor’s building where Ovidio Guzmán, one of the sons of former Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán, is in custody in Mexico City, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. The mayor of a Mexican city caught up in a wave of drug cartel violence last week wasted little time reassuring Canadians and other foreign visitors that his city is safe for travellers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Fernando Llano
The Pacific Institution is shown in this undated handout photo. A prison union spokesman says a pigeon carrying a miniature backpack filled with drugs was captured last week at the B.C. correctional facility. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Pacific Institution

Pigeon toting crystal meth in tiny backpack caught in Abbotsford prison yard

Officers’ union president says it’s another example of how creative drug smugglers have become

The Pacific Institution is shown in this undated handout photo. A prison union spokesman says a pigeon carrying a miniature backpack filled with drugs was captured last week at the B.C. correctional facility. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Pacific Institution
Men carry furniture after looting a store, as a truck burns on a street in Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Mexican security forces captured Ovidio Guzmán, an alleged drug trafficker wanted by the United States and one of the sons of former Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, in a pre-dawn operation Thursday that set off gunfights and roadblocks across the western state’s capital. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Martin Urista

Canadian tourists remain barricaded in hotel amid Mexican cartel violence

Hotel lobby full of people who slept there overnight after flights cancelled

Men carry furniture after looting a store, as a truck burns on a street in Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Mexican security forces captured Ovidio Guzmán, an alleged drug trafficker wanted by the United States and one of the sons of former Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, in a pre-dawn operation Thursday that set off gunfights and roadblocks across the western state’s capital. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Martin Urista
Dave Laboucane was on suboxone when becoming clean earlier this year but returned to Kelowna’s Tent City and suffered severe burns in a fire attempting to keep his tent warm in the cold weather. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

“There is help out there”: Kelowna burn victim identified as man with 22-year troubled past

Another example of Kelowna’s homeless population and the province’s ongoing drug crisis

Dave Laboucane was on suboxone when becoming clean earlier this year but returned to Kelowna’s Tent City and suffered severe burns in a fire attempting to keep his tent warm in the cold weather. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy

B.C. man among three accused of drug smuggling in Washington state

More than 180 kilograms of methamphetamine and fentanyl was found in duffel bags on the beach

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy
Roman and Lukas Tassone are charged with a series of drug-related criminal offences. They remain at large as of Dec. 7, 2022. (Photos courtesy of CFSEU-BC)

Hells Angels member, 6 others charged in BC-wide drug trafficking bust

Drugs, cash, weapons and Hells Angels clothing seized throughout Lower Mainland, Okanagan

Roman and Lukas Tassone are charged with a series of drug-related criminal offences. They remain at large as of Dec. 7, 2022. (Photos courtesy of CFSEU-BC)
Paramedics work to revive a person from an apparent drug overdose in Chilliwack. (Black Press Media file photo)

Mapping where overdoses are more likely to kill in B.C.

Fatality rates far higher in rural areas than urban ones

  • Dec 6, 2022
Paramedics work to revive a person from an apparent drug overdose in Chilliwack. (Black Press Media file photo)
A large quantity of drugs, including prescription drugs, was found in a Vernon drug bust Nov. 30, 2022. (RCMP photo)

2,400 pills found in crowded home during Vernon drug bust

RCMP concerned over increasing number of prescription pills found in possession of drug traffickers

A large quantity of drugs, including prescription drugs, was found in a Vernon drug bust Nov. 30, 2022. (RCMP photo)
The Public Prosecution Service of Canada has approved charges against six alleged B.C. drug traffickers. Three of them remain at large, including Roger Bardales Medina (left), Joseph Lowley and Diego Saed. (Photos courtesy of CFSEU-BC)

6 B.C. men charged with trafficking drugs through Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

All believed to be aligned with Wolfpack gang

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada has approved charges against six alleged B.C. drug traffickers. Three of them remain at large, including Roger Bardales Medina (left), Joseph Lowley and Diego Saed. (Photos courtesy of CFSEU-BC)