Accident – Death – Obituary News : Eight people have been apprehended and charged with drug- and weapons-related offenses following an extensive 18-month investigation in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.
The BC-RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime (FSOC) and Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) collaborated on this operation, which commenced in September 2022. The Abbotsford Police Department and various partner agencies also played a crucial role in the investigative process.
This week, authorities conducted raids in Surrey, Richmond, and Delta as part of their joint efforts. These raids were carried out subsequent to the execution of 11 search warrants in Vancouver, North Vancouver, Delta, Richmond, and Surrey back in March 2023.
During the initial searches, law enforcement officials seized a substantial quantity of counterfeit pharmaceutical pills, weapons, cash, electronics, precursor chemicals, and numerous illicit substances. The scale of the operation was staggering, with hundreds of thousands of pills and kilograms of illegal substances being confiscated.
Moreover, investigators uncovered a sophisticated pill pressing operation at a residence in South Surrey. The evidence pointed towards large-scale polydrug production activities, involving the mixing of fentanyl and its analogues with the counterfeit pills. Shockingly, some of the seized pills were found to contain a dangerous amount of carfentanil, a highly toxic substance more potent than fentanyl and morphine.
Chief Superintendent David Teboul of the RCMP expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the investigations, stating, “We have prevented millions of potentially lethal doses of toxic drugs from entering our communities and disrupted the violent gang conflict that has been threatening the safety of British Columbians.”
In a significant development, it was revealed that several suspects were linked to organized crime syndicates. Notably, Michael Manpreet Johal was implicated in a gang-related murder plot, leading to his arrest and the filing of a charge for conspiracy to commit murder. Johal, along with Richard Sen, Jagdeep Singh Cheema, Michael David Rast, and Kevin Moebes, were identified as the main suspects in the case.
Additionally, three individuals were apprehended by the Abbotsford police in connection with the investigation.
The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies have successfully disrupted criminal activities and potentially saved countless lives in the Lower Mainland. This operation serves as a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the authorities in combating organized crime and preserving the safety of the community..