Image: RCMP / Suspected drugs, cash and firearms.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

6 men charged in drug trafficking investigation spearheaded by Chilliwack RCMP’s drug detectives

Feb 5, 2026 | 1:18 PM

CHILLIWACK – Mounties in Chilliwack say charges have been laid against six men in relation to a multi-jurisdictional drug trafficking investigation spearheaded by the Chilliwack RCMP Drug Section between July 2023 and April 2024.

According to a statement from Chilliwack RCMP spokesperson Corporal Carmen Kiener, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada approved multiple charges against six men on January 8, 2026, as a result of this investigation.

Preston Lahmer, 35, has been charged with:

• 14 counts of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Sec. 5 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
• Two counts of Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm  – Sec. 95(a) of the Criminal Code;
• Two counts of Possession of a non-restricted firearm without a license – Sec. 91(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.

John Graeme McGinty, 35, has been charged with:

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• 13 counts of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Sec. 5 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
• Two counts of Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm – Sec. 95(a) of the Criminal Code;
• Two counts of Possession of a non-restricted firearm without a license – Sec. 91(1)(a) of the Criminal Code;

Mike Vendouris, 41, has been charged with nine counts of Trafficking Cocaine – Sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Ricky Bastiampillai, 40, has been charged with 10 counts of Trafficking Cocaine – Sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Jacob Fleming, 22,  has been charged with five counts of Trafficking Cocaine – Sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Caiden Phillips, 22, has been charged with two counts of Trafficking Cocaine – Sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Police say these charges are a result of a coordinated investigation that began in July 2023 and resulted in numerous arrests, the seizure of large quantities of illicit substances, Canadian currency, and numerous vehicles in April 2024.

“The Chilliwack RCMP would like to thank the Public Prosecution Service of Canada for their dedication and hard work on this complex investigation,” police said.