Vancouver Police Seize $2 Million in Cash, Drugs From Downtown Eastside Building

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) says its seized more than 14 kilograms of illicit drugs, worth more than $2 million, from the Downtown Eastside.

Police said the move disrupts a “violent criminal network” in the troubled neighbourhood.

“This neighbourhood continues to be the epicentre for serious crime, overdoses, and toxic drug deaths in our province – and that crisis is fueled by predatory drug dealers, gang members, and other criminals who profit off those whose life circumstances have brought them to the neighbourhood,” said Insp. Gary Hiar, commanding officer of Task Force Barrage.

Task Force Barrage, which was in charge of the operation, launched an investigation into a group of drug dealers in April, according to a July 24 VPD news release. The dealers were suspected of trafficking drugs out of a building near East Hasting Street and Gore Avenue.

Task force members executed a search warrant at 339 East Hastings Street on July 17 and seized more than $2 million in drugs and cash, as well as multiple weapons.

The seizure included $141,000 in Canadian and U.S. currency, 5.5 kilograms of cocaine, 5.3 kilograms of crystal meth, 3.2 kilograms of raw and processed fentanyl, and 1,594 pills, including methadone and Dilaudid.

Dilaudid and methadone are opioids often used as painkillers.

“This single investigation represents more than 190,000 single doses of illicit drugs taken off the streets, and more than $2 million in profit out of the hands of drug dealers in the Downtown Eastside,” Hiar said.

He said it represented “potentially thousands” of overdoses that were prevented, and thousands of lives saved.

Police arrested 19 people following the execution of the search warrant. The individuals have been released; however, police said they expect criminal charges pending the completion of the investigation.

VPD said it assembled the task force in February to “reduce violence” in the Downtown Eastside, “disrupt criminal networks,” and improve safety for those who live in the neighbourhood.

The area saw an increase in the number of police officers, as well as “targeted enforcement” against violent offenders, VPD said in the release.

VPD said the task force has also made numerous other seizures as part of its work in the Downtown Eastside. The police have seized 1,145 weapons, recovered 127 real and imitation guns, and made 740 arrests in the neighbourhood.

Hiar said the recent drug seizure was only a “temporary disruption” in the drug trade on the Downtown Eastside.

“Other criminal organizations are already moving in to fill the void created by this major drug seizure. That means our work is not done,” he said.