A raid on a Richmond home by Delta Police last week was part of a multi-city drug bust by police that led to the discovery of a large fentanyl lab in Burnaby.
Delta officers executed three search warrants in Burnaby, Surrey and Richmond last Thursday, according to Acting Sgt. Sarah Swallow of the Delta Police Department.
Officers searched a home in the 10800 block of No. 5 Road, finding “items consistent with drug trafficking,” according to Swallow, who could not release more details.
Two men, Scott Pipping and Adam Summers, both of Richmond, appeared in Surrey provincial court Friday afternoon. The men are facing a total of 17 charges, including trafficking in a controlled substance and possession for the purposes of trafficking, as well as possession of a restricted/prohibited firearm and possession of a restricted/prohibited firearm without a licence.
The two men remain in police custody and are scheduled to appear in court again next week.
“During the search of the Burnaby location officers discovered a large clandestine lab used to produce what appears to be the drug fentanyl,” said Swallow.
“This lab is believed to be one of the largest fentanyl labs seen to date in B.C. in terms of drug production.”
Swallow said any risk to the public was low and the RCMP CLEAR team was on site to dismantle the operation with assistance from Burnaby RCMP and fire department.
Swallow said it is not uncommon for Delta police to investigate across municipal boundaries. She noted all officers in B.C. are sworn in provincially and have such powers. Swallow said Richmond RCMP provided logistical support for the bust.
Police have not said yet how much of the drug has been seized, however, Swallow said the bust “puts a huge dent” in the production of the drug that has proved deadly.
In 2015 in Canada there were 471 deaths directly linked to fentanyl and in the first two months of 2016 there have already been 132 fentanyl-related deaths, three of which occurred in Richmond, according to the B.C. Coroners Service.
“Without questions, this seizure will save lives,” said Chief Neil Dubord. “Fentanyl is a deadly drug that is colourless and odourless and for which there is no test.
“This drug is impacting the lives of everyday people, including those who may use drugs recreationally without understanding its consequences.”
In early December, Delta police issued a warning about the drug after two people overdosed on fentanyl after using cocaine.
The drug has been the subject of numerous police warnings in other communities in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley in the past year. Fentanyl, a powerful opiate that is more potent than morphine, is often added to other illicit drugs, such as cocaine, heroin and oxycodone, and ingested unknowingly.
This month Richmond Fire Rescue was handed a new drug, Naloxone, to combat fentanyl overdoses while on duty.
