Three Lower Mainland synthetic drug labs — two of which were making fentanyl — were dismantled in late March by the RCMP. Read More
Several locations were searched, with labs found in Pitt Meadows, Mission and Aldergrove. All had sophisticated equipment and were close to residential neighbourhoods.
Article content
Three Lower Mainland synthetic drug labs — two of which were making fentanyl — were dismantled in late March by the RCMP.
Article content
Article content
Chief Supt. Stephen Lee of the federal policing program in B.C. said “several million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl” were seized before they could be produced and distributed across Canada.
Article content
Two people, including a suspected underground chemist, were arrested, but later released as the investigation continues.
Article content
Story continues below
Article content
Several locations were searched in Metro Vancouver, with labs found in Pitt Meadows, Mission and Aldergrove. Sophisticated lab equipment and precursor chemicals were seized. The labs were in commercial buildings close to residential neighbourhoods, though no exact addresses were provided.
Article content
Sunrise
Article content
“The discovery of commercial-grade chemistry equipment at all locations, in addition to the arrest of an individual who we suspect has a background in chemistry, points to a disturbing trend of progressively enhanced scientific and technical expertise, among transnational organized crime groups involved in the production and distribution of illicit drugs,” Lee said, standing by some of the fentanyl and equipment.
Article content
Article content
RCMP Asst. Comm. David Teboul said none of the fentanyl was destined for the U.S., though he wouldn’t say whether it would have been exported elsewhere or sold domestically.
Article content
“There continues to be no evidence, in this case and others, that these labs are producing fentanyl for exportation into the United States,” he said. “This investigation is ongoing, while the seized drugs, precursor chemicals and other evidence continue to be processed.”
Article content
Story continues below
Article content
Teboul also declined to identify the group or groups involved aside from saying they were a B.C.-based organized crime group with extensive connections in Canada and abroad.
Article content
Stories You May Like
-
Student ‘likely would not have died’ if UVic staff acted differently: report
-
Two new genomics research projects in B.C. aim to stay ahead of bird flu threat
-
Advertisement embed-more-topic
Story continues below
Article content
“This enforcement action is an example of how we counter fentanyl production at its source and continue to aggressively combat organized crime groups that are becoming increasingly more sophisticated in their scientific, and technical abilities,” Teboul said. “The RCMP continues to disrupt the production of fentanyl that is impacting Canadian communities.”
Article content
Article content
He also told reporters that the RCMP continues to meet with Health Canada about necessary changes to prevent legally imported equipment and chemicals from ending up in the hands of organized criminals.
Article content
“These types of equipments here, while they’re used or have been used in the sophisticated production of synthetic drugs, they also have a legitimate, legal purpose,” he said.
Article content
Teboul also said legislative changes are necessary to better tackle transnational organized crime in Canada, but didn’t want to provide details during a federal election campaign.