News (Media Awareness Project) - CN BC: Largest Bust Ever in Region Uncovers Bulk of Drugs at Saanich Home |
| Title: | CN BC: Largest Bust Ever in Region Uncovers Bulk of Drugs at Saanich Home |
| Published On: | 2009-10-02 |
| Source: | Saanich News (CN BC) |
| Fetched On: | 2010-01-25 23:43:34 |
LARGEST BUST EVER IN REGION UNCOVERS BULK OF DRUGS AT SAANICH HOME
A Saanich home is at the heart of what police are calling the largest
drug raid ever in Greater Victoria.
On Tuesday morning, a small army of police searched property in the
West Shore and Saanich.Twenty-three kilograms of cocaine with a
street value estimated at more than $2 million, as well as a
half-million dollars in cash were found in the bust.
RCMP and regional police emergency response teams hit five locations
starting at 5 a.m.
As of the News' deadline Wednesday, three men and one woman had been
arrested, then released on promises to appear in court. Two men faced
court Wednesday. Another man is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant in
connection with the raid.
"This is the largest seizure in our history," said Victoria police
spokesperson Sgt. Grant Hamilton.
In Saanich, police hit the 300-block of Burnside Road West, near
Tillicum, where they discovered 22 kilograms of cocaine and $250,000
in cash. Police also searched a home on Regina Avenue near Harriet Road.
On the West Shore, police raided and towed three vehicles from a home
in the 3600-block of Roberlack Road in Colwood. They found more than
one kilogram of cocaine and $150,000 cash inside two of the vehicles.
Tan Envy Tanning Studios in Colwood Corners was also raided, as was a
residence in the 2600-block of Rainville Road in Langford. Officers
there seized two loaded handguns and $20,000 cash.
Victoria officers worked undercover for three months to gather enough
evidence to launch the raid. Almost 100 officers participated from
VicPD's street crime unit and strike force unit, with assistance from
the Regional Crime Unit, Saanich Police, Combined Forces Special
Enforcement Unit and the West Shore RCMP.
Hamilton said those arrested are known to police and have a history
of violence.
"Those involved in this type of criminal activity arm themselves," he
said. "They will go to great lengths to protect their drug activity."
Police will not release the names of the people arrested until they
have been charged. Hamilton said it will take police several days to
sort though the seized items.
A Saanich home is at the heart of what police are calling the largest
drug raid ever in Greater Victoria.
On Tuesday morning, a small army of police searched property in the
West Shore and Saanich.Twenty-three kilograms of cocaine with a
street value estimated at more than $2 million, as well as a
half-million dollars in cash were found in the bust.
RCMP and regional police emergency response teams hit five locations
starting at 5 a.m.
As of the News' deadline Wednesday, three men and one woman had been
arrested, then released on promises to appear in court. Two men faced
court Wednesday. Another man is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant in
connection with the raid.
"This is the largest seizure in our history," said Victoria police
spokesperson Sgt. Grant Hamilton.
In Saanich, police hit the 300-block of Burnside Road West, near
Tillicum, where they discovered 22 kilograms of cocaine and $250,000
in cash. Police also searched a home on Regina Avenue near Harriet Road.
On the West Shore, police raided and towed three vehicles from a home
in the 3600-block of Roberlack Road in Colwood. They found more than
one kilogram of cocaine and $150,000 cash inside two of the vehicles.
Tan Envy Tanning Studios in Colwood Corners was also raided, as was a
residence in the 2600-block of Rainville Road in Langford. Officers
there seized two loaded handguns and $20,000 cash.
Victoria officers worked undercover for three months to gather enough
evidence to launch the raid. Almost 100 officers participated from
VicPD's street crime unit and strike force unit, with assistance from
the Regional Crime Unit, Saanich Police, Combined Forces Special
Enforcement Unit and the West Shore RCMP.
Hamilton said those arrested are known to police and have a history
of violence.
"Those involved in this type of criminal activity arm themselves," he
said. "They will go to great lengths to protect their drug activity."
Police will not release the names of the people arrested until they
have been charged. Hamilton said it will take police several days to
sort though the seized items.
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