Charges are pending against nine people in B.C. after police say they broke up an organization that was planning to make synthetic drugs like crystal meth and ecstasy.
The RCMP say the year-long investigation culminated in the seizure of about 20 barrels of the chemicals needed to make the drugs, as well as 14,000 ecstasy pills, more than $250,000 in cash and seven guns.
"We are committed to dismantling and disrupting organized crime groups linked to drug operations such as this one," said Chief Superintendent Bob Harriman.
Seven men and two women ranging in age from 32 to 53 from Richmond, Vancouver and Abbotsford face a variety of charges including conspiracy to produce a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
The investigation is linked to a chemical seizure in Edmonton in which two men were arrested. Officials say the entire plot has links to Asian gangs.
Citing a United Nations report, Harriman noted Canada's growing reputation in the international drug trade.
"Canada is an export country," Harriman said. "The use of amphetamine, methamphetamine and ecstasy is spreading and now exceeds cocaine and heroin combined."
Pill presses and precursor chemicals
Harriman said one of the problems in controlling the manufacture of synthetic drugs is a lack of federal regulations on importing the precursor chemicals and necessary equipment.
"Importing a multi-stage pill press that produces thousands of pills per hour would have no legal use unless used by a major pharmaceutical manufacturer," Harriman said.
B.C. Solicitor General Kash Heed agreed, and called on the federal government to impose tougher regulations.
Illicit drugs imperil children and police officers, Heed said.
With files from The Canadian Press
