Coquitlam man faces 10 charges following seizure of drugs, guns

A Coquitlam man accused of being part of a cross-Canada drug trafficking operation is now facing 10 charges including fentanyl trafficking.

Earlier this month, prosecutors approved charges against Coquitlam man Alexander Demetrios Fasogiannis.

Fasogiannis, 34, is charged with trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine. Other charges relate to unauthorized possession of a Glock handgun and magazine, as well as drug possession.

In early 2021, B.C.’s anti-gang unit launched an investigation into what the agency called: “a large-scale, trans-Canada drug trafficking operation based in British Columbia.”

Working with Coquitlam RCMP as well as police in Manitoba and other agencies, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C. conducted four search warrants in the Lower Mainland and made three arrests in August 2022.

Those search warrants led to the seizure of one kilogram of fentanyl as well as 1,713 pills containing fentanyl.

The seizure also yielded a combined 14 kilograms of methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and MDA in addition to five kilograms of cutting agents.

Police seized 26 firearms including four restricted handguns along with prohibited magazines and ammunition.

Four vehicles were also seized, along with $250,000 in cash along with cryptocurrency which was believed to be valued at $194,000 at the time.

“This investigation led to the disruption of an alleged cross-Canada drug trafficking operation that took drugs and firearms off our streets preventing the potential harm they cause to our communities,” stated CFSEU-BC’s Deputy Operations Officer Supt. Kevin O’Donnell in a press release.

None of the charges have been proved in court.