Police arrested 11 people during two separate drug busts in Duncan and Cowichan Bay. File photo.
Police arrested 11 people and seized fentanyl during two separate drug busts in Cowichan Bay and Duncan.
On Tuesday, North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP officers raided a home in the 1000-block of Trunk Road in Duncan. Police said the residence had been identified as a well-known drug house and nuisance property. They also said evidence of drug trafficking led to the search warrant being executed during the evening.
Nine people were arrested inside the property. Officers also seized heroin, fentanyl, meth and GHB as well as scales, packaging, cash and other drug trafficking instruments.
The occupants were residing in all areas of the home including the attic, police said.
Officers also discovered several structural and building code violations. A City of Duncan Bylaw officer, a building inspector and the fire department were called to the property. BC Hydro disconnected the power to the property until the issues could be resolved.
Joseph Smith, 36, Darwin Hopkins, 51 and Ashley Jacobson, 26, have been charged with three counts each of possessing a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. Smith has also been charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance and was held in custody to appear in court on outstanding charges.
Hopkins and Jacobson and have been released. They are scheduled to appear in court on March 20.
Another property in the 2200-block of Cowichan Bay Road in Cowichan Bay was searched on Jan. 5. Police were granted the search warrant to recover evidence related to the trafficking of heroin and fentanyl. Two women were arrested at the property and police seized fentanyl, cocaine and meth. No charges have been laid at this time.
We are continuing to use every available option to combat drug trafficking in the Cowichan Valley and address the ongoing Fentanyl crisis,
Staff Sgt. Kurtis G. Bosnell of the North Cowichan/ Duncan RCMP said in a statement.
Those involved in the drug trade should be forewarned that its just a matter time, you could be next.
Alexa Huffman
