5 arrested, 2 at large in major B.C. drug-trafficking investigation, police say
Investigators from B.C.'s anti-gang police unit say seven men have been charged in an ongoing drug trafficking investigation, and two of them remain at large.
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C. announced the charges and a major seizure at a news conference Wednesday.
The unit said arrest warrants have been issued for 28-year-old Roman Tassone and 34-year-old Lukas Tassone, both Vancouver residents.
Roman is charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. Lukas is facing one count of the same charge.
Police shared photos of the wanted men and asked anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact local police or Crime Stoppers.
25 CHARGES IN TOTAL
According to the CFSEU-BC, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada has approved a total of 25 criminal charges against the seven men.
Other than Roman and Lukas Tessone, the other five people charged in the investigation have been arrested and released on conditions, police said.
Each of the five is charged with trafficking a controlled substance for a criminal organization, conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance and trafficking a controlled substance.
Two of them – 41-year-old Maple Ridge resident Courtney Lafreniere and 51-year-old Vancouver resident Allan Arcangel – are charged with only those three offences.
The other three men face additional charges, as follows:
Vancouver resident Jonathan Lutar, 39, is charged with:
- Directing a criminal organization
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking
Vernon resident Oakley Charest, 34, is charged with:
- Possession of a prohibited weapon
- Two counts of possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition
- Possession of firearms while prohibited, contrary to an order
Tsawwassen resident Matthew Shaw, 31, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.
CASH, DRUGS AND GUNS SEIZED
The CFSEU-BC said in a statement that its investigation began in early 2020 and soon led to "an alleged large-scale drug-trafficking operation on behalf of a criminal organization that spanned the Lower Mainland and Okanagan."
Police said one of the men charged is a full-patch member of the Haney chapter of the Hells Angels, but they did not specify which suspect meets that description.
Investigators executed a dozen search warrants at locations in the Lower Mainland and the Okanagan between September 2020 and July 2021, the CFSEU-BC said.
Police seized $650,000 in cash during their investigation. (CFSEU-BC)
During those searches, police seized $650,000 in cash, a nine-millimetre handgun, a .45-calibre handgun, three rifles, a shotgun, ammunition and prohibited gun magazines.
They also seized body armour, two vehicles, and a cocaine press, along with the following approximate amounts of drugs and additives, police said.
- Two kilograms of cocaine
- One kilogram of MDMA
- One kilogram of fentanyl
- 200 grams of ketamine
- 10 kilograms of cannabis
- 16 kilograms of cutting agent
Some of the drugs seized by the CFSEU-BC are shown. (CFSEU-BC)
"This investigation resulted in the seizure of potentially deadly drugs, firearms, and disruption of a sophisticated drug trafficking operation securing a number of significant criminal charges,” said Asst. Comm. Manny Mann, chief officer for CFSEU-BC, in the statement.
"CFSEU-BC is committed to continuing our relentless pursuit of those who pose the greatest risk to public safety in our communities as we investigate some of the most complex and resource intensive offences in the province."
Wednesday's announcement was the second major drug bust the unit has made public in as many weeks.
Last week, the CFSEU-BC announced the results of a major investigation into alleged Hells Angels drug trafficking activity on Vancouver Island.
Mann said the charges announced Wednesday stem from a separate, unrelated investigation.
"Criminal-organization-related charges are uncommon, yet this is the second investigation in two weeks that CFSEU-BC has been successful in having those charges laid," Mann said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.