REAL SCOOP: Surrey RCMP seizes 30 kg of cocaine
Credit to Author: Kim Bolan| Date: Mon, 02 Dec 2019 07:19:36 +0000
Surrey RCMP showed off stacks of cash and 30 kilograms of cocaine Friday that were seized from vehicles in three different investigations. No one has yet been charged. I heard one of the men arrested and released was the target of a recent shooting.
Here’s my story:
Surrey RCMP’s Gang Enforcement Team seized more than 30 kilograms of cocaine this month, along with $125,000 cash in three separate investigation into the local drug trade.
Const. Richard Wright announced the results of the investigations into Lower Mainland “criminal networks” involved in supplying large quantities of cocaine.
Wright said six men have been arrested so far in connection with the drug and cash seizures, but have been released pending further investigation.
He said none of the men arrested are linked to the ongoing Lower Mainland gang conflict.
The largest seizure of 30 bricks of cocaine was made on Nov. 22 when officers conducted a traffic stop in the 11900-block of 80 Avenue just after 6 p.m.
“During the traffic stop, the officers observed a suspicious bag in the vehicle, subsequent investigation of that bag revealed 30 individually-wrapped packages of suspected cocaine,” Wright said. “Officers also located and seized $5,000 in cash and a $25,000 money order. The driver and passenger were both arrested for possession of a substance for the purpose of trafficking.”
Police wouldn’t provided a per-kilo value for the cocaine seizure, saying it was against Mountie policy to do so.
“What I can say is these are the equivalent of 125,000 doses of suspected cocaine,” Wright said.
Postmedia later confirmed with sources that cocaine currently sells for between $49,000 and $55,000 per kilo, which would bring the total to approximately $1.5 million or more.
The gang team also stopped a vehicle about 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 8 near 152 Street and 81 Avenue. Inside, they found 392 grams of suspected cocaine in a hidden compartment within the vehicle.
“The driver and passenger of the vehicle were arrested for possession of a substance for the purpose of trafficking, and have been released from custody while the investigation is on-going,” Wright said.
A day later gang squad officers pulled over another vehicle near 140 Street and 108 Avenue after seeing the driver “cross the solid line at the shoulder of the road,” Wright said.
“The driver was found to have an expired B.C. drivers licence and upon further investigation of the vehicle and its occupants, items consistent with drug trafficking, including multiple cellphones, a quantity of MDMA and currency were found.”
Police searched the vehicle and found a cardboard box containing multiple bundles of cash wrapped in elastic bands, later counted to be in excess of $125,000.
“The driver and passenger were arrested for possession of property obtained by crime over $,5000,” Wright told a Surrey news conference Friday.
Wright said police continue to investigate all three seizures.
“We have a tremendous amount of evidence to go through as I am sure you can appreciate and there is always more intelligence and investigation to be done,” he said. “I am not going to go into any more details about the individuals involved because the matters are still under investigation.
Surrey RCMP Insp. Mike Hall said drug trafficking across the region “is a significant driver of violent criminal activity.
These three interdictions will have a significant impact on the flow of cocaine at the street level, and represent a significant financial hit to the network of drug traffickers these seizures are associated to,” Hall said.