A series of enforcement actions conducted by RCMP Federal Policing investigators have led to the dismantling of multiple illicit fentanyl labs across BC. Federal investigators have also seized precursor chemicals, and arrested two suspects, with one being a chemist.
Between March 26 and 29, RCMP Federal Policing investigators, with assistance from local RCMP detachments and other units, executed numerous search warrants across the cities of Pitt Meadows, Mission, Aldergrove, Langley, and Richmond in B.C. These searches led to the discovery of three separate illicit fentanyl production labs, with two suspects being arrested at one of the locations.
The fentanyl production labs located in the cities of Pitt Meadows, Mission and Aldergrove were equipped with specialized chemical processing equipment often found in academic and professional research facilities, with one of the arrested individuals claiming to be a chemist with an advance degree in organic chemistry.
This proactive enforcement action into a B.C.-based organized crime group was first launched in the summer of 2023, with the RCMP Clandestine Lab Enforcement and Response (CLEAR) Team initiating an investigation into the importation of precursor chemicals, and commercial laboratory equipment that could be used for the purpose of synthesising fentanyl.
“This interdiction has prevented several million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl from being produced and distributed across Canada. However, the discovery of commercial-grade chemistry equipment at all locations, in addition to the arrest of an individual who we suspect has a background in chemistry, points to a disturbing trend of progressively enhanced scientific and technical expertise, among transnational organized crime groups involved in the production and distribution of illicit drugs,” said Chief Superintendent Stephen Lee.
“This enforcement action is an example of how we counter fentanyl production at its source, and continue to aggressively combat organized crime groups that are becoming increasingly more sophisticated in their scientific, and technical abilities,” said Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, Commander of the Federal Policing program in the Pacific Region.
“The RCMP continues to disrupt the production of fentanyl that is impacting Canadian communities. There continues to be no evidence, in this case and others, that these labs are producing fentanyl for exportation into the United States.”
This investigation is ongoing, while the seized drugs, precursor chemicals, and other evidence continue to be processed.
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