RCMP officers seized drugs, guns, cash and contraband cigarettes from multiple locations in what is being called one of the largest drug busts in recent memory.
During a search of one of the residences on June 6 and 7, officers found a bag containing what appeared to be several hand grenades.
This led to the evacuation of the apartment complex. An explosive disposal unit was brought in from the Lower Mainland to safely detonate the grenades.
“The Street Crew Unit wants to send their thanks to the residents of the apartment complex who were urgently evacuated in the middle of the night when the explosives were located,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, the Prince George detachment's media relations officer. “The evacuations were necessary to ensure resident safety, and most of those affected were understanding and cooperative with law enforcement officers throughout the event.”
Roughly 20 kilograms of suspected cocaine and fentanyl, a kilogram of suspected carfentanil, more than a dozen cases of contraband cigarettes and several high-powered firearms — including one fully automatic rifle and handguns with ammunition — were seized by the RCMP Street Crew Unit.
Cooper added the case may influence how the RCMP conducts future investigations.
“It definitely increases our threat assessment when we are investigating residences or other buildings for this type of drug trafficking activity, and it changes how we approach our investigations and execute our search runs,” she said.
Officers also seized methamphetamine, MDMA, Ketamine, a cocaine press, several pieces of jewellery and other items.
The estimated street value of the seizures is $2.5 million.
“These findings represent a significant increase to the threat level we are encountering within the illicit drug trade in Prince George,” said Cooper. “As the hub city for northern BC we are seeing an increase in the amount of drug trafficking through our community, both as a destination and as a through-point for other cities in the area.
“We will continue to work diligently to disrupt drug trade activity through initiatives such as this one, as well as through strategic networking with partner agencies.”
Several suspects were arrested and later released pending the outcome of the investigation and any charge recommendations to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.
The investigation is ongoing.
