POLICE – ‘Largest, most sophisticated’ fentanyl superlab busted in Falkland

What police are calling “the largest and most sophisticated fentanyl and methamphetamine drug superlab in Canada” has been shut down in Falkland.

RCMP said today (Oct. 31, 2024) investigators conducted a serious of enforcement actions across metro Vancouver and executed search warrants on the superlab in Falkland and associated locations in Surrey last Friday.

The combined fentanyl and precursors seized at the Falkland facility could have amounted to over 95,500,000 potentially lethal doses of fentanyl, which have been prevented from entering local communities or exported abroad, police said.

“As part of the RCMP federal policing program’s proactive efforts to combat the domestic production, and international export of fentanyl and methamphetamine, RCMP federal policing units in B.C. launched an investigation into a transnational organized crime group believed to be involved in the mass-production, and distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine across Canada, and internationally.”

The enforcement actions were led by the RCMP Federal Drugs and Organized Crime Group-6 team, with assistance from the Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement and Response team (CLEAR), RCMP Emergency Response Teams, the South East District Tactical Troop, Kamloops RCMP, Vernon RCMP, Surrey RCMP, and other partners.

Describing the drug superlab as the largest and most sophisticated of its kind with 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.

Police said that in addition to the massive quantities of drugs and precursor chemicals, investigators seized 89 firearms including 45 handguns, 21 AR-15-style rifles, and submachine guns; many of which were loaded and ready for use. 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.”

SEE ALSO: Raid on Falkland superlab took months of investigative work

Gaganpreet Randhawa was identified as the main suspect, and arrested by federal Policing Group-6 investigators, RCMP said, adding that Randhawa is currently in custody, and has been charged with numerous drug and firearms-related offences.

“As part of our crackdown on the large-scale production, distribution, and international export of illicit drugs, our dedicated RCMP federal policing investigators have successfully neutralized what is believed to be the largest illicit fentanyl, and methamphetamine facility ever discovered by law enforcement in Canada.

“This is undoubtedly a major blow to the transnational organized crime groups involved, and a great step towards ensuring the safety of Canadians, and the international community,” stated Insp. Jillian Wellard.

She said while the current investigation is ongoing and one person has been arrested, federal policing investigators have been able to link the operation to a recent enforcement action conducted by the RCMP CLEAR team where 30 tonnes of precursor chemicals were seized from a rural property in Enderby.

“As a result, RCMP federal investigators are working to determine the source of the precursor chemicals associated to these enforcement actions.”