RCMP says it has dismantled the largest and most sophisticated fentanyl and methamphetamine drug superlab in Canada.
On Friday, October 25, 2024, RCMP Federal investigators conducted a series of coordinated enforcement actions across Metro Vancouver, and executed search warrants on a massive drug superlab in Falkland, and associated locations in the city of Surrey.
The combined fentanyl and precursors seized at this facility could have amounted to over 95,500,000 potentially lethal doses of fentanyl, which have been prevented from entering our communities, or exported abroad.
RCMP are describing the drug superlab in Falkland as the largest, and most sophisticated of its kind. It had the capability of producing multiple types of illicit drugs. Federal investigators seized 54 kg of fentanyl, massive amounts of precursor chemicals, 390 kg of methamphetamine, 35 kg of cocaine, 15 kg of MDMA, and 6 kg of cannabis.
In addition to the massive quantities of drugs and chemicals, investigators seized a total of 89 firearms, which included 45 handguns, 21 Ar-15-style rifles, and submachine guns. To date, nine of these guns have been identified as stolen.
The searches also yielded small explosive devices, large amounts of ammunition, firearm silencers, high-capacity magazines, body armour, and $500,000 in cash.
During the course of the investigation, members of the RCMP Drugs and Organized Crime team became aware of several large shipments of methamphetamine that had been prepared for shipment, and destined for international export. In order to prevent the export of these major drug shipments, with assistance from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Federal investigators executed an additional series of search warrants, and seized 310 kilograms of methamphetamine prior to it departing Canada.
Gaganpreet Randhawa was identified as the main suspect, and arrested by Federal Policing Group-6 investigators. Randhawa is currently in custody, and has been charged with numerous drug, and firearms-related offences.
While this investigation is ongoing and one person has been arrested, Federal Policing investigators have been able to link this criminal operation to a recent enforcement action conducted by the RCMP CLEAR team where 30 tones of precursor chemicals were seized from a rural property in Enderby, BC. As a result, RCMP Federal Investigators are working to determine the source of the precursor chemicals associated to these enforcement actions.
