Surrey: BC RCMP Federal Policing has arrested two individuals, and seized a massive cache of precursor chemicals capable of producing 262 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl, and 3 million dosages of MDMA (ecstasy).
RCMP say the 22 month-long investigation by the BC RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime program (FSOC) was launched after the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) intercepted 54 boxes of liquid gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) in April of 2021.
BC RCMP FSOC investigators were able to identify an individual believed to be associated to the GBL importation, in addition to the smuggling of other precursor chemicals into Canada, officials say.
On February 23, the BC RCMP FSOC’s border integrity unit simultaneously executed a series of search warrants across Metro Vancouver, and arrested a man and a woman for their alleged involvement in the importation of synthetic drug precursor chemicals.
RCMP say the searches of two residences in Vancouver and Burnaby and three storage facilities in Vancouver and Surrey led to the discovery of over 600 kilograms of the fentanyl precursor, 4-Piperidone monohydrate hydrochloride, valued at $600,000.00; and over 200 kilograms of an MDMA (ecstasy) precursor, Piperonyl Methyl Ketone ethyl glycidate, valued at $120,000.00.
Police say the amount of precursor chemicals seized at these locations could have produced over 525 kilograms of fentanyl, and over 150 kilograms of MDMA, when combined with other chemicals required for their synthesis.
In addition to the precursor chemicals seized at these locations, police say other items of interest seized were 3 high-end vehicles, 2 luxury watches, electronic goods, cash, dried cannabis, and an assortment of other chemicals used in the manufacturing of illicit synthetic drugs, which are commonly used in other everyday products and not regulated/scheduled.