Victoria police have arrested two people and seized eight kilograms of drugs — including fentanyl — as well as several firearms and more than $105,000 in cash that they say are linked to gangs on the Lower Mainland.
The operation was led by VicPD’s Strike Force team, working with the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team and VicPD’s Analysis and Intelligence Section.
VicPD’s Strike Force began an investigation in February into suspected drug traffickers with ties to the Lower Mainland operating in Victoria.
On March 15, VicPD’s Strike Force and emergency response officers arrested a man and executed search warrants on his residence in the 500-block of Heatherly Road in Colwood, and another residence in the 1000-block of Tolmie Street in Victoria.
Officers also executed search warrants on two vehicles associated with the man.
Police seized eight kilograms of drugs, including 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl, 3.5 kilograms of cocaine and three kilograms of methamphetamine. In addition, officers seized eight rifles, one handgun, magazines and ammunition, as well as more than $105,000 in Canadian currency.
A day later, police arrested a woman associated with the man and executed a search warrant on a suite in a multi-unit residential building in the 800-block of Fort Street, where officers seized additional trafficking-level quantities of fentanyl.
The suspects were released pending further investigation. Investigators are recommending drug-trafficking charges against both.
The case remains under investigation. Police are asking anyone who has information about the incident and has not spoken to officers to call the VicPD Report Desk at 250-995-7654, extension 1. To report anonymously, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
dkloster@timescolonist.com
