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RCMP have taken two people into custody after a massive drug seizure in the South Surrey area.
The seizure resulted in the subsequent dismantling of a large clandestine laboratory.
Police believe the operation was linked to the Brothers Keepers group, who are involved in the ongoing gang conflict in the Lower Mainland.
On Aug. 6, 2019, Surrey RCMP Drug Section executed a search warrant on a residence in the 16300-block of 14A Avenue as a result of an ongoing investigation.
A large drug manufacturing operation was discovered at the residence, with police seizing significant amounts of illicit street drugs, drug paraphernalia, pill presses, and firearms.
The items seized included 63,000 doses of fake OxyContin ‘80’ pills, 94,000 doses of fake Percocet pills, 5,000 doses of suspected cocaine, 22,500 doses of fake heroin, 200 doses of suspected methamphetamine, 89 kg of an unknown cutting agent and 60 kg of a pill-binding agent, three pill presses capable of producing 3,600-16,000 tablets per hour, and seven firearms, including six SKS assault rifles and one carbine rifle.
While some of the drugs were packaged in bulk, others were packaged for street level distribution. Preliminary tests also indicate the presence of fentanyl.
The two individuals arrested at the scene were released pending further investigation.
“Based upon the sophistication and capacity of this operation to produce massive quantities of street level drugs, we believe there is a large criminal network associated to this lab,” says Inspector Mike Hall. “This seizure will cause a significant disruption to this group’s ability to distribute mass amounts of potentially fatal street drugs in the Lower Mainland.”
“The public safety risks associated with these types of large-scale illicit drug operations cannot be understated,” says Sgt. Derek Westwick, CLEAR Team NCO.
“Clandestine labs pose a significant risk of contamination due to the volume of toxic and hazardous chemicals being handled by untrained individuals. The public can play a key role and is urged to contact police immediately if they suspect a clan lab in their community.”
The RCMP say the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers, if you wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-8477 or go to www.solvecrime.ca.