Three charged after police investigation nets $30M in drugs

Charges have been approved against three men after a sweeping police investigation that resulted in the seizure of $30 million in drugs in 2020, including high-concentration fentanyl.

The investigation, which brought together the Victoria Police Department’s Strike Force and Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C., which targets gangs, began in June 2020, when Victoria police discovered an organized-crime group was trafficking fentanyl in Victoria. It was later discovered the group had ties to the Lower Mainland.

During the investigation, dubbed Project Juliet, search warrants were executed in November 2020 on a vehicle, along with multi-unit residential buildings on Fisgard Street, View Street and Fairfield Road.

Those led to the seizure of more than two kilograms each of fentanyl and methamphetamine, one kilogram of cocaine, a replica assault rifle and $50,000 in cash.

On the Lower Mainland, more than 10 kilograms of fentanyl, two kilograms of methamphetamine, a kilogram of ecstasy, three luxury vehicles and $335,390 in cash were seized.

Also seized during the investigation were 20 firearms.

Those charged include Brian James Balla, 34, who lives in Victoria and is originally from Calgary. He faces eight charges, five for possession for the purpose of trafficking in a controlled substance and three for trafficking in a controlled substance.

He was taken into custody Wednesday in Victoria.

Vu Bao Nguyen, a 34-yearold Surrey resident, faces 10 charges, seven for possession for the purpose of trafficking in a controlled substance and three for trafficking in a controlled substance, while 35-year-old Brent William Van Buskirk — originally from Vancouver and currently in custody — faces 13 charges that include eight counts of possession of a prohibited firearm without authorization, two counts of possession of a non-restricted firearm without a licence and three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking in a controlled substance.

Victoria Police Chief Del Manak said he is proud of the work the joint operation has done to get drugs like fentanyl and firearms out of communities.

“In a year where over 2,200 people in British Columbia have died from suspected illicit drug overdose, it is clear that more joint-operation work like this must be done to end the deaths.”

Assistant Commissioner Manny Mann, chief officer for the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C., said the work done with Victoria police is another example of what his unit does around the province to take potentially lethal drugs off the street “and take guns out of the hands of those who choose to put everyone at risk.”

Over 12 kilograms of fentanyl was found overall, which was enough for close to four million doses. Fentanyl that had been prepared for street distribution had a concentration of 13 per cent, which police said was high enough to cause an increase in overdoses.

Typical doses on the street are three to five per cent.