Metro Vancouver Mounties seize drugs, explosives, firearms in multiple raids

Mounties in Metro Vancouver say they’ve seized more than a dozen guns, ammunition, cash, and explosives in multiple raids across the region.

The Surrey RCMP says at the end of August, it searched a home on Industrial Road, just north of King George Boulevard.

With the help of the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team, Surrey Mounties found illicit drugs, $10,000, four handguns, ammunition rounds, illegal magazines, radio jammers, stolen vehicles and licence plates, 16 other firearms, and “approximately 30 pounds of explosives.”

Mounties say 12 people were arrested during the raid.

On Sept. 10, another search was done at the same location, after “further grounds of trafficking were observed.”

Cash, methamphetamine, cannabis, prescription opioids, “various” pills, ammunition, a silencer, long guns, and two crossbows were seized.

“Upon execution of the first search warrant, the sheer volume of drugs, firearms, and explosives located by police inside this fortified unit over a business visited by the unsuspecting public, may be the most dangerous situation I have seen in my service in Surrey,” stated Snr. Sgt. Nigel Pronger in a release Wednesday.

“Unfortunately in this investigation, crime did not stop with this enforcement, necessitating a second search warrant execution at the same location. This wanton disregard for public safety is inexcusable, and I extend my sincere appreciation to both the North CRU investigators and the members of Lower Mainland IERT and Explosive Disposal Unit for their excellent performance of their duties in executing this search warrant.”

Meanwhile, Mounties in Burnaby say four people have been charged following a year-long investigation into firearm-related offences.

Two men and two women now face trafficking, controlled substances, and prohibited weapon-related charges.

During search warrants related to the charges, police allege almost $15,000 in cash, a stolen handgun, ammunition, a silencer, and almost one kilogram of illicit drugs were seized.

“The amount of drugs and weapons taken off our streets as a result of this investigation is substantial,” said Sgt. Randy Mortensen. “Our Drugs and Organized Crime Section remains committed to combatting the illicit drug trade and the violence that comes with it.”