During a 14-month long investigation by RCMP North District Federal Serious and Organized Crime unit, police seized cocaine, cash and firearms.
Image Credit: RCMP HANDOUT
June 07, 2017 - 12:59 PM
KAMLOOPS - After a 14-month investigation into drug trafficking in Northern B.C. and the Fraser Valley, a Kamloops man and three others have been charged.
In a news release, RCMP North District Federal Serious and Organized Crime says they began their investigation, called Project ENaissant, in April 2015, looking into drug trafficking in Prince George and Chilliwack.
Ravneet Basi, 44, is from Kamloops and has been charged with conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance, trafficking in a controlled substance, and possession of property obtained by crime.
On June 11, 2016, RCMP arrested Basi along with Prince George residents Fabian Cuthbert, 45, and Katherine Cuthbert, 73. Tijnder Sidhu, 46, of Richmond was also arrested.
The RCMP unit also executed a drug warrant in Richmond, along with Richmond RCMP and the police dog service. Approximately one kilogram of cocaine, two vehicles, and cash from a Richmond home were seized.
A second warrant was executed in Chilliwack, where police seized about one kilogram of cocaine, a large amount of cash and a vehicle from a Chilliwack home.
Finally, a third warrant was executed in Prince George, where numerous firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, body armour, a cocaine press and cash were seized.
During the investigation the RCMP North District Federal Serious and Organized Crime unit worked with police in Prince George, Chilliwack, Richmond, Delta, Kamloops, Surrey and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, along with other federal support units.
Staff Sgt. Glen Breckon with the North District RCMP unit said the group is responsible for supplying cocaine to Northern B.C.
"This was a very successful enforcement action taken against this group responsible for supplying cocaine to Northern BC which will have a significant impact," Breckon said. "Another great example of how RCMP resources at the federal, provincial and municipal levels from all over the province have collaborated to take significant action in disrupting and dismantling an organized crime group here in the North District."
Fabian and Katherine Cutherbert are charged with conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, and Sidhu is charged with the same offences, along with trafficking in a controlled substance.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2017