File photo.
Fifteen people were arrested and a large quantity of drugs was seized after police officers forced their way into a house in Duncan on Thursday.
Police said a search warrant was obtained as part of an investigation into a residence in the 400 block of Garden Street. According to police, the house has been a “problem residence for the neighbourhood and community for some time” and is believed to be the site of frequent drug deals.
North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP said officers had to force their way into the home. Fifteen people were arrested. Nine were taken into custody while the other six were released at the scene.
Police said a dog bit an officer, but that officer only suffered minor injuries.
Suspected heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl were seized at the house, as well as an imitation firearm. Several high-end bicycles, believed to be stolen, were also found inside the house and seized. The bicycles appeared to have been altered to hide the serial numbers.
Sgt. Chris Swain with North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP said the small house was in a “deplorable condition for living.” and was full of used and un-capped needles, methane, propane and drug paraphernalia. The residence is suspected to be contaminated with fentanyl.
The home’s windows were boarded, smoke alarms were disabled and interior doors padlocked, police said. B.C. Hydro has been notified and will be shutting off the power due to safety concerns.
The investigation into the house is ongoing and charges are pending, Swain said.
Alexa Huffman
