6 arrested, 120,000 cannabis-laced edibles seized on Vancouver Island

With Halloween only two days away, police on Vancouver Island are urging people to be cautious following a seizure of more than 120,000 cannabis-laced edibles with packaging that mimics renowned chocolates and candies.

Along with the laced edibles the RCMP Federal Policing Investigators in BC have arrested six suspects believed to be involved in the distribution of other illicit drugs, unregulated cannabis and contraband tobacco.

Mounties also shared photos of snacks with names such as “Reeferz Cupz” for peanut butter cups in yellow and orange packaging that resembled Reese’s Pieces, “KushKat” resembling a KitKat bar, as well as “Stoneo” resembling Oreo cookies and more.

They say that the contraband candies seem like professionally manufactured products, but they found out these were made in unsanitary conditions.

“Given the highly contaminated and unsanitary conditions of the illicit drug production facility where these cannabis edibles were being produced, it is possible that the consumption of these products can lead to serious health risks. We urge members of the public to practice extreme caution if they already possess, or come across such products in the future, especially with Halloween being just around the corner,” said Chief Superintendent. Stephen Lee, Deputy Regional Commander – RCMP Federal Policing Program – Pacific Region.

Mounties say the Pacific Region RCMP Federal Policing investigators executed search warrants at two dispensaries and five residences on Oct. 3.

They say the warrants were associated with an organized crime group allegedly involved in the production and distribution of the products in Port Alberni and Nanaimo from two modular trailers.

“Search warrants were also executed at a suspected stash site in Port Alberni, and a storage and production facility adjacent to Coastal Storm Dispensary. This included two modular trailers where cannabis edibles were being produced, stored, and distributed,” they said in a release Tuesday.

Officers say the search of the locations led to the seizure of the following:

• Over 120,000 cannabis edibles with packaging resembling popular chocolate bars, potato chips, nacho chips, honey, and other candies;
• Over 3 Kg of psilocybin mushrooms, 1,740 Psilocybin capsules, over 400 psilocybin chocolate/candies and a multitude of other psilocybin products;
• 2.2 pounds of pressed cannabis resin;
• Over 500 pounds of cannabis bud;
• Over 19 pounds of shatter;
• Over 5,000 cannabis vape cartridges;
• 5 vehicles;
• 2 ATM machines containing cash;
• Over 164 Master Cases of contraband tobacco (equating to 82,000 packs of cigarettes);
• Over $400,000 in cash;
• A shotgun, and other paraphernalia.

RCMP says the investigation is ongoing, and “numerous drug-offence-related charges are being pursued.”

“We urge members of the public to practice caution if they have already purchased such products and refrain from consuming them as they pose serious health risks,” said Arash Seyed, Media Relations Officer with the RCMP, at a press conference Tuesday.