Surrey RCMP’s Drug Unit say a three month long investigation into an illegal cannabis trafficking operation resulted in a large scale raid following the receipt of a warrant last week.

Four men were arrested and approximately 800 one-gram packets of cannabis shatter, 300 grams of bulk cannabis shatter, 10 lbs of bulk cannabis flower, 3.5 lbs of packaged cannabis, approximately 1 lb of bulk cannabis butter, 20 vials containing suspected THC distillate and a synthetic compound suspected to be W-18, 345 THC vape pens, 44 packages of THC gummies, 3 packages of THC potato chips, 1 lb of psilocybin mushrooms, and 1 ounce of bulk MDMA were seized, along with approximately $5,000 cash.

W-18 was initially developed as a potential analgesic drug. It has been found in illegal street drugs, and has also been found in fake oxycodone pills, and in other drug products containing fentanyl.

In September 2020, the Surrey RCMP Drug Unit says they began a proactive investigation into a drug trafficking operation at a residence in the 13400-block of Central Avenue. As the investigation progressed, officers gathered evidence consistent with the sale and distribution of cannabis products. On December 17, 2020, a search warrant under the Cannabis Act was obtained.

The four men were initially arrested but later released pending further investigation. The men are known to police and one of the individuals has ties to the Lower Mainland gang conflict.

“This is a good reminder that, not only is it illegal for an unauthorized dealer to sell cannabis, it is also illegal to purchase cannabis from an unauthorized dealer, regardless if the purchase is in-store, online or in-person,” says Inspector Mike Hall, Surrey RCMP Proactive Enforcement Officer in a press release.

Although more than a half million people live in Surrey, it is one of several neighbouring cities in BC’s Lower Mainland that have banned legal cannabis stores.