An Abbotsford, B.C., man is facing multiple drug trafficking charges after police say they found 36 kilograms of MDMA, or ecstasy tablets, in a hidden compartment in his vehicle.
Federal drug investigators pulled over the 47-year-old's pickup truck on Highway One in Chilliwack on Monday as part of an ongoing investigation. A sweep of the vehicle found a "sophisticated, magnetic and electronically-operated" compartment in the gas tank. The driver was arrested at the scene.
Police say a search of the man's Abbotsford home uncovered another 27.5 kilograms of MDMA tablets hidden in a suitcase.
RCMP Const. Michael McLaughlin said although the man doesn't have a significant criminal past, there are factors that lead investigators to believe the seizure may be linked to organized crime.
"The amount and value of the drugs, the sophistication of the compartment that was hiding them and the fact that they were likely being hidden for a relatively long journey," McLaughlin said in a press release issued to media.
In total, 63.5 kilograms of tablets, or 200,000 individual doses, were seized.
McLaughlin said synthetic drugs like ecstasy pose a significant risk because there is no quality control in club drugs like MDMA.
"The actual concentration of the drug in a tablet can vary wildly, and a significant percentage of ecstasy seized by the RCMP is laced with other drugs like methamphetamine or ketamine."
The suspect has been released from custody and a court date has yet to be set.
