Police from multiple departments were involved in conducting nine search warrants on the South Island, which led to the discovery of firearms, drugs, cash and stolen property believed to be linked to organized crime, according to the West Shore RCMP.
“We were definitely surprised by the types of weapons we found and the hundreds of rounds of ammunition,” said Cpl. Nancy Saggar.
The nine search warrants were conducted on five vehicles and four properties in Langford, Malahat, Saanich and Victoria. Officers from West Shore RCMP, the RCMP Emergency Response Team, Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team, Saanich Police and Victoria Police Strike Force were involved.
Police seized drugs, cash and firearms while executing the search warrants including:
- Approximately six kilos of drugs suspected to be a combination of cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine and psilocybin;
- Approximately six litres of liquid drugs suspected to be gamma hydroxybutyrate (commonly knowns as GHB);
- Over 1,000 unknown pills;
- Drug trafficking paraphernalia including drug packaging materials and a gas mask;
- Over $6,000 cash;
- A loaded 50-calibre Desert Eagle handgun;
- AR15 style rifle;
- One replica handgun;
- Two replica rifles;
- Two handgun magazines, three prohibited rifle magazines and one prohibited silencer;
- Large containers full of ammunition including 7.62 x 39 millimetre rounds, shotgun rounds and rifle rounds;
- Over $10,000 worth of suspected stolen property.
Saggar says officers were surprised to find the Desert Eagle handgun.
“It’s a rare find for police to seize. It’s an illegal firearm. Not something that you’re going to come across legally anyways,”
RCMP say among the stolen property were blenders, numerous electric toothbrushes, earphones, earbuds, wireless speakers, and power tools. Many were still in their original packaging and still had their security tags.
A 25-year-old man has been arrested for Possession of Controlled Substances for the Purposes of Trafficking and Unauthorized Possession of Firearms. RCMP say this seizure is related to organized crime.
“We know this is a part of organized crime. Anytime you’re going to have this level of drugs involvement along with the way things are packaged…clearly there’s connections beyond just this one individual,” said Saggar.
West Shore RCMP say the man had conditions at the time of his arrest from prior charges in relation to drug trafficking. He remains in custody at this time.
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