THE Pacific Region RCMP Federal Policing program on Thursday claimed it has delivered a decisive blow to a major transnational organized crime group by dismantling the largest and most sophisticated fentanyl and methamphetamine drug superlab in Canada.
The combined fentanyl and precursors seized at this facility could have amounted to over 95.5 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl, which have been prevented from entering Canadian communities, or exported abroad.
Gaganpreet Randhawa was identified as the main suspect, and arrested by Federal Policing Group-6 investigators. Randhawa is currently in custody, and has been charged with numerous drug, and firearms-related offences: export a controlled substance; possession of a controlled substance; possession of a prohibited firearm; possession of prohibited devices; possession of explosive devices; and possession of a firearm.
RCMP Federal Policing units in BC launched an investigation into a transnational organized crime group believed to be involved in the mass production and distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine across Canada and internationally.
On Friday, October 25, RCMP Federal investigators conducted a series of coordinated enforcement actions across Metro Vancouver, and executed search warrants on a massive drug superlab in Falkland, BC, and associated locations in the city of Surrey.
These enforcement actions were led by the RCMP Federal Drugs and Organized Crime Group-6 team, with assistance from the Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement and Response team (CLEAR), RCMP Emergency Response Teams, the South East District Tactical Troop, Kamloops RCMP, Vernon RCMP, Surrey RCMP, and other partners.
Federal investigators seized 54 kg of fentanyl, massive amounts of precursor chemicals, 390 kg of methamphetamine, 35 kg of cocaine, 15 kg of MDMA, and 6 kg of cannabis.
In addition to the massive quantities of drugs and precursor chemicals, investigators seized a total of 89 firearms, which included 45 handguns, 21 Ar-15-style rifles, and submachine guns; many of which were loaded and ready for use. To date, nine of these guns have been identified as stolen.
The searches also yielded small explosive devices, large amounts of ammunition, firearm silencers, high-capacity magazines, body armour, and $500,000 in cash.
During the course of the investigation, members of the RCMP Drugs and Organized Crime team became aware of several large shipments of methamphetamine that had been prepared for shipment, and destined for international export. In order to prevent the export of these major drug shipments, with assistance from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), federal investigators executed an additional series of search warrants, and seized 310 kilograms of methamphetamine prior to it departing Canada.
While this investigation is ongoing and one person has been arrested, Federal Policing investigators have been able to link this criminal operation to a recent enforcement action conducted by the RCMP CLEAR team where 30 tones of precursor chemicals were seized from a rural property in Enderby, BC. As a result, RCMP Federal Investigators are working to determine the source of the precursor chemicals associated to these enforcement actions.
