“This investigation resulted in the largest one-time seizure of contraband cigarettes in B.C.”
FOUR suspects have been arrested as a result of a Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia-led investigation into an alleged drug and contraband tobacco trafficking organization spanning multi jurisdictions.
The investigation that began last August has so far resulted in the seizure of 32 firearms, a large quantity of ammunition, body armor, 10 pallets of contraband liquor, 35 pallets of contraband tobacco, eight vehicles, a speedboat, half a kilogram of cocaine, and other items consistent with suspected drug trafficking.
In August 2023, CFSEU-BC received information regarding an alleged drug and contraband tobacco trafficking network. The investigation quickly expanded to multiple jurisdictions around the Lower Mainland and southern Vancouver Island and the investigators determined that the suspects involved were connected to gangs and organized crime.
On January 24 and 25, CFSEU-BC investigators, with the assistance of several support units from partner police agencies, executed seven search warrants in Langley, Abbotsford, Surrey and Victoria and seized:
– 32 firearms including handguns, assault rifles, and shotguns;
– A large quantity of ammunition;
– Body armor;
– 10 pallets of contraband liquor;
– 35 pallets of contraband cigarettes with an approximate retail value of $11,000,000;
– Approximately a half kilogram of cocaine;
– 80 kg of marijuana;
– Hydraulic cocaine press and other drug paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking;
– 8 vehicles, including a stolen Porsche Cayenne;
– 1 speedboat
All four individuals arrested have been released pending the judicial process.
“Organized crime groups support their criminal enterprise in various ways including by dealing in illicit commodities. This investigation resulted in the largest one-time seizure of contraband cigarettes in B.C. and speaks to CFSEU-BC’s dedication to fulfilling its mandate to disrupt and support the prosecution of those gang-involved individuals who impact public safety and seek to make profits off of illegal commodities,” said Sgt. Brenda Winpenny, Media Relations Officer for CFSEU-BC, on Tuesday.
“Our mandate and ability to work with our partner agencies to investigate across multiple jurisdictions allows us to target gang members and groups who impact public safety in multiple communities. We will continue to aggressively pursue members of organized crime groups and their associates, holding them accountable for the harm they bring to our communities.”
The agencies who assisted with this investigation included the BC Ministry of Finance Investigations Unit, CFSEU-BC Vancouver Island Team, Integrated Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team (ILMD ERT), RCMP Clandestine Lab Enforcement and Response Team (CLEAR), Abbotsford Police Department, Burnaby RCMP, Vancouver Police Department, Langley RCMP, Surrey RCMP and Mission RCMP.
