The Organized Crime Agency of BC

Provincial Methamphetamine Trafficking and Production Investigation

On February 5^th, 2002 an extensive police investigation into clandestine drug laboratories and their resultant production and distribution of methamphetamine and ecstasy culminated in Kelowna and the Lower Mainland areas with the arrest of twelve persons, the execution of a number of Controlled Drug and Substances Act and Criminal Code search warrants at various businesses and residences, and the seizure of significant amounts of methamphetamine, ecstasy, GHB, precursor chemicals, and drug production and trafficking paraphernalia.

In the Okanagan, the Kelowna RCMP acted as the lead investigative agency and worked in collaboration with the South East District Federal Drug Section, the Organized Crime Agency of British Columbia and the RCMP and Calgary City Police Services in Alberta. Their project extended over a sixteen month period culminating in the execution of search warrants at four Kelowna residences and one Peachland residence. One woman and five men were arrested and quantities of GHB, methamphetamine, ecstasy and approximately $75,000.00 cash were seized. One dismantled meth lab vented into the local sewer system was also located.

In the Lower Mainland, the Organized Crime Agency of British Columbia acted as the lead investigative agency in this matter and worked in collaboration with the Kelowna RCMP who were directing the police operation in the Okanagan. For the Organized Crime Agency their part in the project extended over a five month period. On the 5^th of February, OCABC conducted the search warrant executions and the arrests of the suspects in partnership with RCMP investigators from HQ, Surrey and Chilliwack as well as officers from Abbotsford and Vancouver Police Departments. Also involved was personnel from Health and Welfare Canada.

The OCABC aspect of the investigation resulted in the arrest of six persons, the search of a business in Surrey, a residence in Abbotsford, and one in Chilliwack, the dismantling and seizure of two clandestine methamphetamine labs and the seizure of methamphetamine, ecstasy, marihuana, hashish, chemical precursors and a large number of prohibited and restricted weapons, including handguns and rifles.

At the present time all persons arrested in both the Okanagan and the Lower Mainland have been released on Promises to Appear with the first appearance date for court set for the first week in June 2002. Charges pending against them at this time include, Production of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of a Controlled Substance under the CDSA, and Possession of a Restricted Weapon and Possession of a Prohibited Weapon under the Criminal Code. Investigations have revealed that the persons running the labs and distributing the resultant illicit drugs were controlled and directed by OMG members and associates.

This joint law enforcement agency operation is an excellent example of the outstanding results that can be attained in fighting organized crime with an integrated, consultative and coordinated attack.