Big bust: fentanyl, crystal meth seized
Four charged in raid that also netted crystal meth, firearms and counterfeit money
After a months-long investigation, North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP have seized counterfeit money, firearms and drugs, including 600 grams of fentanyl and 900 grams of crystal methamphetamine.
Police said it is the equivalent of 10,000 doses of fentanyl and 15,000 doses of crystal meth.
Staff Sgt. Chris Swain said it is reasonable to say that the police operation was life-saving.
“I would definitely go that far,” Swain said. “It’s hard to quantify that, but with that many doses being taken off the street, including the firearms — that’s another aspect of this — with all of this seizure combined, I would go as far as to say that it saved at least a few lives.”
Ninety-nine people died of illicit drug overdoses on Vancouver Island in the first five months of this year. Fentanyl has been detected in more than 80 per cent of the deaths.
Many others are involved in the ongoing effort to deal with the local drug situation, Swain said.
“We work with community action teams, doctors, publichealth officers and mayors about what can we do as a group, as a community.”
The RCMP’s Street Crime Unit began its investigation in February and subsequently executed three search warrants on June 30 — two at properties on Chaplain Street in Crofton and one at a site on Hillside Street in Chemainus. The Island’s Emergency Response Team was brought in for the searches.
Officers seized eight firearms, including a loaded shotgun, and cash.
Charges of trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking have been laid against 23-year-old Taygen Mitchell Butler, 22-year-old James Otis Downey, 41-year-old Christopher Lee Hamilton and 43-year-old Timothy James Greer.
Police said they expect charges to be laid against nine other people. Firearms charges are also being recommended.