DELTA Police announced on Friday that what started as a small investigation focused on fuel purchase fraud, quickly grew into a long-term project that has resulted in five individuals facing 47 charges including controlled drugs and substances, and firearms, and a civil forfeiture process.
In February 2023, the Delta Police Department’s (DPD) Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) learned of a fuel fraud scheme involving fraudulent cardlock cards being produced and used. Dozens of fraudulent transactions worth more than $25,000 had been conducted. The investigation identified an organized group that was involved in the fraud.
In April 2023, the CRU executed a search warrant related to the fuel fraud investigation at a property in the 6100-block of 104 Street, Delta. As a result of the search warrant, a number of criminal offences were identified including:
* loaded restricted and prohibited guns;
* a fully operational drug lab; and
* an illegal marijuana grow operation.
As a result, $1,000,000 worth of street value drugs were seized along with vehicles associated to organized crime. At the time of warrant execution, one man was arrested on an outstanding Canada-wide warrant. Two vehicles have since been subject to civil forfeiture proceedings, while other civil forfeiture processes are still in progress.
The Integrated Emergency Response Team, Integrated K-9, and the Clandestine Lab Enforcement and Response (CLEAR) Team assisted in the execution of the warrant.
CRU submitted a report to Crown counsel recommending 73 charges against nine individuals.
On April 22, the Public Prosecution Service Canada (PPSC) approved charges against five individuals, as follows:
1. Robert Johan Simonsen, 52, of Surrey:
Fraud under $5,000 (two counts)
2. Richard Stephen Voszler, 48, of Delta:
Fraud under $5000 (two counts)
Production of methamphetamine
Possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking
Possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking
Possession of heroin for the purpose of trafficking
Possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking
Possession of MDMA for the purpose of trafficking
Possession of ketamine for the purpose of trafficking
Possession of amphetamine for the purpose of trafficking
Possession of dimethyltryptamine for the purpose of trafficking
Possession of GHB for the purpose of trafficking
Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm (three counts)
Use, ship, or store a prohibited firearm (three counts)
Possess a prohibited weapon, taser, without license
3. Robert Joseph Stephen Lavalee, 55, of Surrey:
Fraud under $5,000 (eight counts)
4. Robert Sean Rylands, 42, of Abbotsford:
Fraud under $5,000 (10 counts)
5. Norman Sterner, 44, of Delta:
Fraud under $5,000 (eight counts)
Two of the five individuals charged have been arrested in relation to this investigation, while the remaining three accused are currently wanted on unendorsed warrants. Delta Police are asking the named individuals turn themselves in for processing of their warrants.
“When we commence an investigation, we follow the evidence, and we don’t necessarily know where a specific file is going to go. Our CRU showed commitment and follow-through on a complex investigation, with a complex disclosure package. I am very proud of the work of our CRU members. I would also like to acknowledge our federal Crown partners who approved the charges in a complex and difficult file,” said Delta Police Chief Neil Dubord.
