Warrants in the Lower Mainland, Kamloops lead to seizure of 13 kg of drugs, $311K and guns

An investigation launched last July into the alleged drug trafficking network operating in BC has ended with one man being arrested and charged with several offences.

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC (CFSEU-BC) launched an investigation into drug trafficking in the Lower Mainland in July 2024.

That led the CFSEU to Kamloops in December 2024.

With the help of the Kamloops RCMP, three search warrants were executed in early December and four people were arrested for drug trafficking, however, they’ve been released and charges are still pending.

Police seized 3.5 kg of methamphetamine, 4.5 kg of fentanyl, 2 kg of cocaine, two prohibited firearms and $111,000 in cash, the news release said.

The investigation continued for another two months and on Feb. 20, investigators executed seven more search warrants at houses and a storage locker in Vancouver and Burnaby.

The CFSEU said a small-scale drug lab was dismantled in one of the houses.

Three men were arrested and 31-year-old Daniel Penton is in custody and facing charges.

That includes unlawful possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of 13 unloaded firearms, possession of prohibited devices including gun silencers and oversized magazines, and possession firearms, ammunition and prohibited devices while being prohibited.

Here is a list of what the CFSEU seized from those seven search warrants:

• 2 kg of suspected illicit substance;

• 18 firearms including handguns and assault rifles;

• Ammunition;

• Extended magazines;

• Silencers;

• 6 body armour vests;

• Smoke grenades;

• Radio jammers;

• Tracking devices and balaclavas;

• Approximately $200,000 in cash of which $100,000 was in fake currency.

“This significant seizure of illegal drugs, firearms and cash represent a major victory in our ongoing efforts to keep our community safe,” says Inspector Mark Goodall of CFSEU-BC.

“By dismantling criminal operations that fuel violence and addiction, we are not only preventing harm to individuals, but also protecting the integrity of our neighbourhoods.”

National investigation leads to over 500 arrests

The announcement of this massive drug and weapons seizure in BC comes just days after the RCMP said a specialized team had been working across the country to intercept drug trafficking networks.

From Dec. 9, 2024 to Jan. 18, 2025, the Canadian Integrated Response to Organized Crime (CIROC) Committee composed of federal, provincial and municipal law enforcement agencies carried out a national “sprint” aimed at illegal fentanyl production and distribution.

During that time, law enforcement agencies reported 489 incidents related to fentanyl and synthetic opioids, which resulted in 524 arrested.

A significant amount of drugs, weapons, vehicles and cash were seized. That includes:

• 46.17 kg of fentanyl;

• 15,765 pills of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids (benzimidazole, izonitazene, hydromorphone and oxycodone);

• 44.70 kg and 973 pills of Methamphetamine;

• 29.61 kg of Cocaine;

• 122 firearms;

• $813,954.27 cash (CAD); and

• 33 stolen vehicles.

These provincial and national investigations and large scale drug seizures coincide with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s $1.3-billion border protection plan that was announced in December.

The plan resurfaced to public attention when US President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on all Canadian goods earlier this month.

The plan includes the appointment of a fentanyl czar to combat illegal production and destruction of the deadly drug.

Trudeau’s plan will also see cartels listed as terrorists, 24/7 monitoring on the border, which includes the use of Black Hawk helicopters at borders in BC, Alberta and Manitoba, and the launch of a Canada-US Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering.