25K ‘street level doses’ of fentanyl seized amid major drug and gun raids in Cowichan Valley: RCMP

Seven arrests and multiple charges have been laid after a significant seizure of drugs and guns in the Cowichan Valley.

North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP are continuing to investigate after several search warrants and arrests occurred on South Vancouver Island on March 12 and 19.

Mounties say the RCMP Street Crime Unit led a multijurisdictional drug investigation, which began in November 2023, targeting mid-level drug trafficking activity in the Cowichan Valley.

Police say Project ‘ENAIANT’ utilized various investigative avenues and led to the simultaneous execution of search warrants at three residences in the Duncan area, as well as a residence in Sooke.

As a result of the search warrants, police seized:

• Approximately three kilograms of suspected fentanyl
• Approximately two kilograms of suspected methamphetamine
• Approximately 1.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine
• Approximately 40 litres of GHB
• One carbine rifle
• Six handguns, including two 3D printed 9mm handguns
• A 3D printer
• One set of body armour and a conducted energy weapon (also known as taser)
• More than 400 cartons of illegal cigarettes
• More than $240,000 in cash

“This series of arrests and search warrant executions will have a significant impact on the drug supply for Cowichan and the South Island and make our communities safer,” said Staff Sgt. Deborah Kelly with the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP. “From the fentanyl seizure alone approximately 25,000 street level doses were seized.”

Seven individuals were arrested during the execution of the search warrants.

RCMP says 38-year-old Grant Giles of the Fraser Valley is charged with four counts of trafficking in a controlled substance and fail to comply with a court order.

Police will also be recommending drug and firearms related charges against a 32-year-old man from the Greater Victoria area and a 38-year-old woman from the Cowichan area.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at 250-748-5522.

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