2 BC men charged with drug trafficking during trial for previous drug trafficking

Two men in Victoria were recently charged with drug trafficking during their Supreme Court case for the very same crime.

Westshore residents Atta Otchere and Zoran Cooke were both charged with one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking on April 22, 2025.

The initial charges stemmed from January 2021, when witnesses reported suspicious activity in the 2900-block of Earl Grey Street in Saanich. Saanich Police arrested Otchere and Cooke in May of that year and seized nearly 38 grams of crack cocaine, divided into 106 small packages.

They were charged and appeared in Supreme Court over several days in April 2024.

During breaks when they were not in court—including after being found guilty, but before sentencing—VicPD Strike Force officers observed the men engaging in suspected drug trafficking throughout Greater Victoria.

Search warrants were obtained and executed in May 2024 at three locations, with assistance from the Island District RCMP Emergency Response Team and West Shore RCMP. About 250 grams of cocaine and $4,000 in cash were seized.

“It is deeply concerning that these individuals continued to engage in drug trafficking while attending court for drug trafficking offences,” said Chief Constable Del Manak.

“Their actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the justice system and the safety of our community. I commend our Strike Force Unit for their continued efforts to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking networks.”