Fifty Officers Execute Search Warrants in Vancouver And Surrey

June 2nd. 2000 10:00 am.

Delta, B.C .

Fifty police officers from the Organized Crime Agency of B.C. and the Vancouver Police Department execute search warrants on marihuanna grow operations in Vancouver and Surrey.

Acting on previous information developed from a Vancouver Police property crime team case, OCABC members and the Vancouver Police Department, pooled resources to execute nine search warrants on private residences in Vancouver and Surrey early yesterday.

The operation targeted a Vietnamese organized crime group from a proceeds of crime perspective. Proceeds of crime investigators seized numerous financial records, computer equipment and currency totaling $218,000 Canadian and $93,800 U.S. and will continue to investigate the unexplained wealth of the suspects involved. Police also seized marihuanna valued at $405,000 and grow operation equipment valued at $15,000.

Fourteen adults have been arrested and will be charged with offences that include but are not limited to, possession of marihuanna for the purpose of trafficking, production of a controlled substance and possession of the proceeds of crime. Twelve children were in the homes at the time of police entry and 4 under the age of 7 years old were apprehended by the Ministry of Children and Families.