Richmond Mounties’ organized crime unit has busted a significant, alleged dial-a-drug line in the city.
After an intense, eight-month investigation in Richmond and Surrey, the Richmond RCMP Organized Crime Unit (OCU) targeted a drug line operating in Richmond that was allegedly selling cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.
Over the course of eight months, officers gathered evidence against a number of individuals allegedly operating the line, which was run as a "dial-a-dope," whereby drug users would call a central phone number to have drugs delivered.
Police surveillance observed drug trafficking deliveries throughout Richmond and Surrey ranging from residential neighbourhoods, shopping malls and other public venues.
On January 27, search warrants were executed by the OCU at two locations in Richmond and an additional location in Surrey.
Officers made a total of eight arrests and seized items including: Cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, marihuana and heroin packaged for street sale; three vehicles, one of which was equipped with a hidden compartment; a single-barreled shot gun; approximately $56,000 in Canadian currency.
In March, eleven individuals, including nine men and two women, had charges approved against them for possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and trafficking in a controlled substance.
The persons charged are:
Patrick Befus, 39, of Victoria;
Clay Sidney Crawford, 35, of Delta;
Catherine Jane Pepper, 37, of Richmond;
Travis Pete, 24, of Richmond;
Ashneel Prasad, 30, of Surrey;
Alvin Kumar Sharma, 37, of Surrey;
Christopher Lance Silva, 32, of Surrey;
Jo-Ann Spencer, 51, of Delta.
Presently, three of the 11 accused remain at large and are wanted on arrest warrants.
They are: Andrew Weir, 30, of Surrey; Jason Requena-Hurlburt, 21, of Vancouver, and Geoffrey Ambridge, 30, of Calgary.
“Extensive planning, team work, and dedication all contributed to this successful operation. We are confident that the remaining three will soon be located," said Sgt. Chin Lee, of the Richmond RCMP Serious Crimes Unit.
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of the three wanted individuals is asked to contact their local police or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
*To celebrate the recent launch of the Richmond News’ weekly paper, the News is giving away a $25 gift card for the Bean & Beyond Cafe in Steveston for our new “Letter of the Week” feature.
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