B.C. RCMP bust operation shipping 'large amounts' of drugs to Yukon, Manitoba
Four people have been arrested in connection with a drug trafficking operation that was allegedly shipping “large amounts” of controlled substances from B.C. to other parts of Canada, the RCMP announced Wednesday.
Members of the Burnaby RCMP’s Drug and Organized Crime Section executed search warrants at two homes in the Lower Mainland back in August, seizing a haul of pills and other substances, plus more than $80,000 in cash, the detachment said in a news release.
The officers found 1.15 kg of suspected cocaine, 25 g of suspected ketamine, 12,547 suspected alprazolam pills and 9,555 suspected hydromorphone pills in the two homes, located in Coquitlam and Surrey, the RCMP said.
Most of the hydromorphone is “believed to be diverted prescription pills,” Burnaby RCMP said in a news release, while others appear to be counterfeits containing fentanyl.
“Stopping the flow of highly addictive diverted prescription opioids, as well as other drugs that are contributing to overdose deaths, is a priority for our team,” said Sgt. Randy Mortensen, in the release. “This seizure has redirected a large amount of deadly drugs which are no longer destined for our streets.”
Hydromorphone is offered to people battling substance use disorders though B.C.’s safer supply harm-reduction program, but is also one of the most commonly prescribed opioids for pain relief in the province.
CTV News asked the Burnaby RCMP for more information on the suspected source of the hydromorphone, and why authorities believe it was diverted.
In an email, Kalanj said investigators “are relying on their expertise, however, samples of all the seized drugs have been sent for testing, so we can’t confirm the origin for certain at this time.”
Two of the suspects arrested in the crackdown are also facing drug trafficking charges in the Northwest Territories, and one of those individuals was charged in a 2021 trafficking case in the Lower Mainland that is still going through the courts, authorities said.
None of the individuals’ names have been released.
Burnaby RCMP said their investigation is ongoing, but they expect to recommend charges against all four suspects once it is complete.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's 'most wanted terrorist' arrested on gun charges in Canada
One of India's most wanted terrorists has been arrested and charged in connection with a recent alleged shooting in Ontario.
12-year-old boy charged in stabbing of 11-year-old boy at Edmonton McDonald's
The boy stabbed at a north Edmonton McDonald's last Friday is 11 years old.
What makes walking so great for your health and what else you need to do
Medical experts agree that walking is an easy way to improve physical and mental health, bolster fitness and prevent disease. While it’s not the only sort of exercise people should do, it’s a great first step toward a healthy life.
U.S. Congress hosts second round of UFO hearings
The U.S. government held another UFO hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, the second such hearing in 16 months. This hearing was billed as an attempt by congress to provide a better understanding of what is known about previous sightings of UFOs, also known as UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena).
Toronto teenager charged with first-degree murder in Kitchener, Ont. homicide
A Toronto teen has been charged as part of an investigation into Kitchener, Ont.’s first homicide of 2024.
Spy service officer denies threatening Montreal man who was later imprisoned in Sudan
A Canadian Security Intelligence Service official has denied threatening a Montreal man who was later imprisoned and allegedly tortured by authorities in Sudan.
Donald Trump picks Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said he will nominate Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as his attorney general, putting a loyalist in the role of the nation's top prosecutor.
This Canadian airline will adopt Apple's new AirTag feature to help recover lost baggage. Here's how
Apple announced that a new feature, 'Share Item Location,' will help users locate and recover misplaced items by sharing an AirTag location with third parties including airlines.
Canada bracing for 'tough' talks as Trump's pick calls northern border an 'extreme vulnerability'
The Canadian government is aware it's likely in for 'tough conversations' with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's administration, after his border czar said there is 'an extreme national security vulnerability' he intends to tackle at the Canada-U.S. border.