Federal RCMP bust nation’s ‘largest drug superlab’ in B.C.’s interior

Federal RCMP investigators say they’ve taken down the “largest, most sophisticated [illicit] drug superlab in Canada,” seizing what police say amounts to 95 million doses of fentanyl.

Last week, investigators conducted a series of coordinated raids across Metro Vancouver and on the lab in Falkland, B.C. — a community between Kamloops and Vernon.

Mounties say they seized over half a ton of drugs and dozens of firearms, though only one person has been arrested and charged.

The main suspect faces multiple charges in connection to the bust and remains in police custody.

Standing behind a huge display of items, RCMP Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, says the bust represents a $485 million seizure from organized crime.

“The investigators seized approximately half a ton of hard drugs, including fifty four kilograms of fentanyl, three ninety kilograms of methamphetamine, thirty five kilograms of cocaine, fifteen kilograms of MDMA, and six kilograms of cannabis,” Teboul claimed.

But the seizures extended beyond illicit drugs.

“In addition to the massive quantities of drugs and precursor chemicals, investigators seized a total of 89 firearms, which included 45 handguns, 21 Ar-15-style rifles, and submachine guns, many of which were loaded and ready for use. To date, nine of these guns have been identified as stolen,” said an RCMP release.

“The searches also yielded small explosive devices, large amounts of ammunition, firearm silencers, high-capacity magazines, body armour, and $500,000 in cash.”

Teboul says the lab was operating in Falkland but had associated properties in Surrey.

Investigators believe the lab was run by a transnational crime group, trafficking drugs within Canada and internationally. Teboul thinks it’s time for the Canadian justice system to catch up to the reality of the danger of outside threats.

“They have proxies that operate in Canada and elsewhere. Those are the people that we’re focused on and aim to bring to justice,” he said. “And I think it’s time for our justice system to be increasingly stiff to this parasitic behaviour,”

Teboul says there could be more people charged as the investigation continues.

—With files from Cole Schisler