A year-long investigation by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia’s Anti-Trafficking Task Force (ATTF) has resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of drugs, firearms and cash.
In early 2021, CFSEU-BC’s ATTF began a drug investigation, working collaboratively with policing partners in Manitoba, which led investigators to individuals believed to be involved in a large-scale, trans-Canada drug trafficking operation based in British Columbia.
The investigation continued to progress leading investigators to conduct four search warrants between August 17 and 24, 2022, at residences in the Lower Mainland area and the arrest of three men.
Police seized the following items:
* Various illegal drugs (in approximate amounts):
– 1.1 kg of fentanyl plus 1,713 pills containing fentanyl
– 3.6 kg of methamphetamine
– 2.5 kg of cocaine
– 1 kg of MDMA
– 2 kg of MDA
– 407 tabs of LSD
– 350 grams of psilocybin
– 1.6 kg of benzodiazepine
– 8.1 kg of phenacetin
– Other small amounts of ketamine and marihuana
* 17.5 kg in cutting agents
* Approximately $250,000
* Crypto currency believed to be valued at $194,000 at the time it was seized
* 26 firearms, including four restricted hand-guns, prohibited magazines and ammunition
* Various drug trafficking items and paraphernalia; score sheets, drug packaging and mixing paraphernalia, cell phones and computer flash drives
* Four vehicles
On December 13, 2023, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) approved several drug- and firearms-related offences.
Alexander Demetrios Fasogiannis, a 34-year-old male from Coquitlam is charged with:
* one count of trafficking a controlled substance, fentanyl;
* two counts of trafficking a controlled substance, methamphetamine;
* one count of possession of a controlled substance, cocaine;
* one count of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine;
* one count of unauthorized possession of loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, Glock 21sf handgun;
* one count of unauthorized possession of an unloaded prohibited or restricted firearm, Glock 21sf handgun, with accessible ammunition;
* one count of unlawful storage of a firearm;
* one count of unlawfully possess a prohibited or restricted firearm, Glock 21sf handgun; and
* one count of unlawfully possess a prohibited device, an over capacity magazine.
A summons has been issued for Fasogiannis to make a first court appearance on January 8, 2024.
“This investigation led to the disruption of an alleged cross-Canada drug trafficking operation that took drugs and firearms off our streets preventing the potential harm they cause to our communities,” said Superintendent Kevin O’Donnell, CFSEU-BC’s Deputy Operations Officer, on Monday. “Working collaboratively with our law enforcement partners is integral to fulfilling our mandate to disrupt, suppress and prosecute organized crime in our province.”