RCMP seize more than 120,000 cannabis edibles in large raid on Vancouver Island

October 29, 2024 | David Brown

Federal investigators with the RCMP have dismantled an organized criminal operation on Vancouver Island that they say was involved in the distribution of illicit drugs, unregulated cannabis, and contraband tobacco.

On October 3, six people were arrested and investigators seized thousands of counterfeit cannabis edibles when Pacific Region RCMP Federal Policing investigators executed search warrants at two dispensaries, Green Coast Dispensary in Port Alberni and Coastal Storm Dispensary located in Lantzville, and five residences on Vancouver Island.

Products seized included more than 120,000 chocolate bars, candies, and chips with packaging resembling popular name-brand snacks often referred to as “copycat” edibles.

The executed search warrants were associated with an organized crime group allegedly involved in the production and distribution of illicit drugs and contraband tobacco in Port Alberni and Nanaimo, say police.

Search warrants were also executed at a suspected “stash site” in Port Alberni, and a storage and production facility adjacent to Coastal Storm Dispensary. This included two modular trailers where cannabis edibles were being produced, stored, and distributed.

Police also allege that there is a potential for cross-contamination of these products, which they say were manufactured in unsanitary conditions.

“Given the highly contaminated and unsanitary conditions of the illicit drug production facility where these cannabis edibles were being produced, it is possible that the consumption of these products can lead to serious health risks,” said Chief Superintendent Stephen Lee, deputy regional commander for RCMP Federal Policing Program, Pacific Region.

“We urge members of the public to practice extreme caution if they already possess, or come across such products in the future, especially with Halloween being just around the corner.”

#FederalPolicing #BCRCMP – RCMP Federal Investigators take down organized crime group, seize thousands of counterfeit cannabis-laced candy bars https://t.co/VB9Y6sHheZ pic.twitter.com/8pyaIdAg53
— BCRCMP (@BCRCMP) October 29, 2024

Searches of these locations led to the seizure of the following items:

Over 120,000 cannabis edibles with packaging resembling popular chocolate bars, potato chips, nacho chips, honey, and other candies;
Over 3 kg of psilocybin mushrooms, 1,740 Psilocybin capsules, over 400 psilocybin chocolate/candies, and a multitude of other psilocybin products;
2.2 pounds of pressed cannabis resin;
Over 500 pounds of “cannabis bud”;
Over 19 pounds of shatter;
Over 5000 cannabis vape cartridges;
5 vehicles;
2 ATM machines containing cash;
Over 164 Master Cases of contraband tobacco (equating to 82,000 packs of cigarettes);
Over $400,000 in cash;
A shotgun, and other paraphernalia.

The operation was in collaboration between RCMP Federal Policing units, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit-BC (CFSEU-BC), Criminal Intelligence Service BC (CISBC), Nanaimo and Port Alberni RCMP detachments, and other partner agencies.

In another law enforcement story, local media has reported a series of store closures in BC’s interior, on Okanagan Indian Band land in Vernon on October 29.