A seven-month long RCMP investigation into a drug trafficking operation has led to its dismantling, cutting off one source of illegal drugs to the region.
Street drugs believed to be cocaine, crack cocaine, meth, fentanyl, and heroin, were seized along with trafficking paraphernalia, cash, loaded handguns, and more as a result of searches at addresses in Chilliwack and Abbotsford.
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| Some of the illegals drugs, credit cards, flash drives and paraphernalia seized as part of a seven-month RCMP investigation into an illegal drug operation in Chilliwack. (RCMP) |
“This complex investigation has led to the seizure of a very substantial quantity of illegal drugs and firearms which were destined for the streets of our community,” according to Chilliwack RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Mike Rail.
Along with the drugs and guns, there was also stolen property, ID, blasting caps, and a luxury vehicle among the seized items. There were patches for “Kings of Destruction – Chilliwack” and “Lost Soulz – Chilliwack” which could be connected to organized crime groups.
Chilliwack RCMP Crime Reduction Unit Drug Section (CRU) launched the investigation last November with officers targeting an individual suspected of dealing illegal drugs in Chilliwack.
“Evidence gathered led police to the execution of search warrants on addresses in Chilliwack and Abbotsford linked to street-level drug-trafficking,” Rail said.
Next CRU officers with support from Chilliwack members, Chilliwack RCMP Priority Target Team (PTT), and the LMD Integrated Police Dog Section (IPDS) executed a (Controlled Drugs and Substances Act [CDSA]) search warrant on Feb. 28, 2020 of a residence in the 46000-block of Princess Avenue, and then another on March 31 for a search in the 10000-block of Ponderay Street on Fairfield Island.
“During the execution of the search warrant on Ponderay Street a locker at another location was tied to the investigation,” Rail said.
Police later seized a cache of rifles, ammunition, and handgun magazines from the locker.
The most recent search and seizure was on May 7, with CRU officers, supported by the Abbotsford Police Department (ERT) and Abbotsford officers, executed a CDSA search warrant on a residence in the 4600-block of Dixon Road, Abbotsford. Drugs believed to be cocaine and methamphetamine, cutting agents, paraphernalia associated to drug trafficking, and cash were seized by police.
READ MORE: Search warrant served in Abby
Six people arrested during the execution of the search warrants were released from custody by police.
Following a thorough review of evidence gathered, all circumstances of the investigation will be forwarded in a report by the RCMP to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) for their assessment of criminal charges.
RCMP remind everyone who witnesses anything they believe to be suspicious in nature to contact their local police or, should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
READ MORE: Big drugs and weapons bust in Surrey in 2019
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