LAST year on October 9, frontline Richmond RCMP officers responded to an EV charging station located in the 4600-block of No. 3 Road for a weapons call.

It is alleged that a 59-year old Vancouver man, who was charging his electric vehicle at a public EV charging station, was threatened with violence.

A fulsome investigation by the Richmond Mobile Enforcement Team (RMET) resulted in the swift arrest of two individuals and the seizure of individually packaged drugs and an 18-cm (7-inch) knife.

On August 9, 2022, charges were approved by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada against a man and a woman.

Gurleen Singh (male), 22, of New Westminster, is charged with one count each of unlawfully possessing a controlled substance, fentanyl, for the purposes of trafficking; unlawfully possessing a controlled substance, cocaine, for the purposes of trafficking; and unlawfully possessing a controlled substance, methamphetamine, for the purposes of trafficking.

Bo Ni Zhao (female), 31, of New Westminster, is charged with one count of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

“The safety of our community is always of paramount concern. In this instance, what may have started as a minor altercation at an EV charging station escalated into a dangerous situation requiring police,” said Inspector Mark Baxter on Friday.

“The rapid intervention by our officers may have prevented serious injuries or worse. In addition, while responding to this matter police identified and seized illicit drugs destined for our streets. The Richmond Mobile Enforcement Team specializes in these types of investigations. You will be hearing much more about them in the future,” Baxter added.