Two Coquitlam residents among group charged following Metro Vancouver drug-trafficking bust in 2023

A pair of Coquitlam residents have been charged after B.C.’s anti-gang unit executed a series of search warrants across the Lower Mainland last spring

The Crown announced 31 charges against eight suspects on July 29, 2024, resulting from a significant amount of drugs, weapons, and cash being seized from properties in Coquitlam, Richmond, Surrey, and Langley.

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC (CFSEU-BC) and Langley RCMP began a joint investigation into an alleged drug trafficking network back in December, 2022, after identifying suspects under investigation by both agencies.

“This investigation resulted in the disruption and individuals charged in an alleged drug trafficking operation of an organized crime group manufacturing and trafficking potentially deadly synthetic drugs such as fentanyl in our communities,” stated Insp. Todd Thomas, CFSEU-BC’s senior investigating officer. 

Investigators determined the suspects were connected to gang activity and organized crime as the scope of the investigation expanded into multiple Lower Mainland jurisdictions, according to a CFSEU-BC news release.

A total of 10 search warrants, carried out between April and May, 2023, resulted in the seizure of over $40,000 in cash; five vehicles; two firearms with ammunition and prohibited magazines; over a kilogram of cocaine, with an estimated value of $60,000; 15 kilograms of MDMA with an estimated value of $300,000; 8.5 kilogram of fentanyl, with an estimated value of $215,000; over $200,000 worth of jewelry; and over 4,600 oxycodone, hydromorphone, fentanyl, and caffeine pills.

In addition, a hydraulic press, chemical precursors used to make synthetic drugs, and other items consistent with a drug manufacturing and trafficking operation were seized.

The CFSEU-BC said they estimate the group would have been able to produce 148 kilograms of MDMA and 139 kilograms of pure fentanyl based on the material seized, appraised to have an approximate street value of $3.5 million and $3 million, respectively.

Both Coquitlam suspects, 22-year old Jacob Brown and 28-year old Omega Lanek, face the same four charges: conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance; possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking; possession or transporting items intending they will be used to produce or traffic a controlled substance; and possession for the purpose of trafficking for a criminal organization. Neither suspect has any history of criminal charges.

The six other suspects include one man and two women from Langley, along with three men from Surrey.

All suspects with the exception of one Surrey man have been released from prison pending their next court date on Aug. 14, 2024.

RCMP FSOC CLEAR Team, Langley RCMP Drugs and Organized Crime Section, Coquitlam RCMP, Richmond RCMP, Surrey RCMP, and LMD ERT, also assisted in the investigation, according to the news release.