Police announce the dismantling of major organized crime group operating in B.C., including Abbotsford

VANCOUVER — Law enforcement authorities have announced a major advancement in the fight against organized crime in British Columbia. Through collaborative efforts of the B.C. RCMP’s Federal Serious and Organized Crime Program, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), and the Abbotsford Police Department, police officials say they have dismantled a dangerous B.C.-based organized crime group.

In a statement, Mike Farnworth, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General praised the work of the different police departments. “Gangs and organized crime are fueling the toxic-drug crisis, killing thousands of British Columbians every year and hurting communities across our province. This is a problem that crosses borders within Canada and across the world, and we are determined to do what it takes to stop it.”

Image: Pill pressing operation / RCMP supplied

The joint efforts of BC-RCMP FSOC, IHIT, and Abbotsford Police resulted in a massive seizure that included 356 thousand counterfeit pills, mimicking popular medications like Adderall, Xanax, Percocet, OxyContin, and Oxycodone. The pills were found to contain carfentanil and other deadly substances. Additionally, law enforcement confiscated 168 kilograms of precursor chemicals, including fentanyl, benzodiazepines, methamphetamine, and carfentanil, for use in a pill-pressing operation.