A Port Moody residence was one of three across Metro Vancouver where a multi-level gang investigation uncovered a large amount of drugs.
In fact, it was more than $8 million worth of illegal substances.
Led by Vancouver police (VPD), officers arrested two suspects last week after seizing 41 kg of meth, 22 kg of cocaine and more than 10 kg of fentanyl, as well as $172,000 in cash, two vehicles and a kilogram press from all three homes.
This includes the one in Port Moody and two others in New Westminster.
"This is one of the larger drug seizures we have seen in recent years," explains VPD organized crime section Insp. Phil Heard in a news release today (July 27).
"We believe this investigation, and the substantial seizure of drugs and cash, will have a significant impact on organized crime in the Lower Mainland."
The initiative began in May — known as Project Tint — as VPD worked with other B.C. police departments to target drug sales and distributions conducted by a "high-level organized crime group."
Since then, police executed search warrants on the Port Moody and New Westminster residences and it was determined the activity they uncovered was linked to ongoing gang violence in the region.
Heard says the investigation is ongoing.
"A seizure of this size will undoubtedly reduce the amount of fentanyl and other illicit drugs sold on the streets," he says.
The three-month collaboration included the VPD, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-BC) and the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team (ERT).
Clandestine lab bust
The announcement comes a week after RCMP discovered a secret drug lab in Coquitlam.
On July 20, Mounties announced it took four days to dismantle a clandestine laboratory on North Bend Street, and experts are determining what potential substances were being produced.
In a separate statement, spokesperson Const. Deanna Law explained local firefighters responded to a water leak in a warehouse unit, but the person inside was not cooperating.
An "urgent request" for help was called to RCMP, a drug production lab was found shortly after officers arrived and a 43-year-old man was arrested, but later released pending the investigation
Law adds there's no risk to public safety.
