IN the early morning hours of October 27, Mission RCMP were called to a report of gunshots heard in the 12700-block of Stave Lake Road in the Hatzic Valley. Officers found a number of spent bullet casings, which prompted further investigation into a large acreage adjacent to where the shell casings were found.

The Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team attended the property and were able to confirm that no one had been injured; however, there were indications that a building on the property was being used as a clandestine drug lab.  Mission RCMP obtained a search warrant, and with the assistance of the RCMP’s Clandestine Lab Enforcement and Response team (CLEAR) along with a representative from Health Canada, officers spent several days on scene gathering evidence.

Investigators determined that the property housed a large-scale operating fentanyl lab inside a storage building and several shipping containers.  Approximately 25 kg of pure fentanyl were seized, as well as about 3 kg of fentanyl already cut for street distribution.  It is estimated that the product seized would have equated to over 2.5 million street-doses of fentanyl.  Additional precursor materials to make more fentanyl were also located, along with 2,000 litres of chemicals, and 6,000 litres of hazardous chemical waste.

“The seizure of this fentanyl, and the dismantling of this drug lab to prevent further production, will have a significant impact on the people that profit from the harm this drug causes in our communities,” said Inspector Ted Lewko, Officer in Charge for Mission RCMP, on Thursday.  “We hope that the residents in the area of the lab will also feel safer knowing that this facility has been shut down.”

No charges have been laid at this time, however the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this property, or who suspects there is a drug lab close to their home, should call Mission RCMP at 604-826-7161.