WATCH: Nanaimo RCMP say they have arrested four people with ties to the notorious Red Scorpions gang. The arrests come after a 10-month long investigation that included Vancouver, Richmond and Nanaimo. Kendall Hanson reports.
Nanaimo RCMP says several individuals have been arrested and seizures made following a nearly year-long investigation into the sale and distribution of drugs in Nanaimo, with help from lower mainland officers.
Police say the 10-month investigation began in April 2018 and focused on individuals associated to the Red Scorpions gang.
The Nanaimo RCMP Projects Team investigated a home on Linyard Valley Drive in Nanaimo and a search warrant resulted in the arrests of three males and the seizure of 10 ounces of suspected fentanyl, $35,000 cash in Canadian currency and four firearms.
Nanaimo RCMP showing a haul of illegal drugs, cash and weapons seized in several busts spanning over 10 months associated with members of the Red Scorpions @CHEK_News pic.twitter.com/QnCiIgacH6
— Kendall Hanson (@Kendall_Hanson) January 23, 2019
The suspects were charged with various drug trafficking offences and are before the courts.
Between Dec. 15 and Dec. 18, the investigation continued in various jurisdictions, with six search warrants in Nanaimo, Vancouver and Richmond.
Police say the searches led to four adult males between the ages of 20 and 45 being arrested in Nanaimo, although none have been charged to date.
Officers seized 30 pounds of dried cannabis and more than three kilograms of controlled substances believed to be cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Police also grabbed litres of cannabis oil, more than $93,000 of Canadian cash, passports, scales and other drug paraphernalia.
Some of the drugs seized during a 10-month investigation into sale and distribution of drugs in Nanaimo.
“This investigation was extremely complex and demanding as it involved multiple police agencies involved in the planning and coordination required to simultaneously and safely carry out these search warrants. The assistance from all of the partners was invaluable and they all remain committed to further investigative steps if required,” Nanaimo Projects Team lead Sergeant Rob Christensen said in a statement.
Without their assistance, the Nanaimo Projects Team would not have been able to safely and effectively handle the search efforts in the Lower Mainland.
Nanaimo RCMP says the investigation continues and more arrests and charges are expected in the coming months.
CHEK News
