A retired acupuncturist is under investigation for allegedly running a practice out of his Richmond home.
Investigators were on site Thursday morning in the 5600-block of Colville Road, loading equipment and folding acupuncture tables into a white truck.
A number of white boxes were also loaded and taken away.
Wai Cheong Chik is listed as a co-owner of the home. When reached by phone, he explained to a reporter that the search and seizure of his equipment was just a misunderstanding.
“They want to take it, I let them take it. They need information? I will tell them,” Chik said in Cantonese.
Chik said he previously worked as an acupuncturist but has been retired for some time.
He acknowledged that former patients frequently visit him at his home, but maintained they were there only to ask questions and not to receive treatment. He maintained there was never an exchange of money.
An online search yielded a Better Business Bureau listing for a “Mr. Chik” at 5680 Colville road in Richmond.
However, the listing notes, “this business is not BBB accredited,” and directs inquiries to the appropriate agency and lists the contact information for the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of B.C.
There are no complaints or reviews under the listing on BBB’s website.
There are also no acupuncturists registered by the name “Chik” in B.C., according to the college. It remains unclear if Chik was or had ever been registered or licensed in B.C.
When asked why he still had medical equipment despite having retired for “a few years,” Chik said: “No one will buy this equipment — it’s all for acupuncture.”
He said he believes Thursday’s search and seizure was the result of a false report.
“All I have to say is that they were only friends,” Chik said of the many visitors to his home.
While the seizure was taking place Thursday, several high-end luxury cars could be seen pulling into Chik’s driveway, then leaving.
Richmond RCMP were on site to assist, but Cpl. Dennis Hwang said RCMP is not leading the investigation.
Messages left with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of B.C., as well as the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C., have not yet been returned.
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