Numerous BC fentanyl production labs dismantled, chemist arrested

B.C., Federal Policing

2025-04-10 13:20 PDT

File # 2023-12330

A series of enforcement actions conducted by RCMP Federal Policing investigators have led to the dismantling of multiple illicit fentanyl labs across BC. Federal investigators have also seized precursor chemicals, and arrested two suspects, with one being a chemist.

Between March 26th and 29th, 2025, RCMP Federal Policing investigators, with assistance from local RCMP detachments and other units, executed numerous search warrants across the cities of Pitt Meadows, Mission, Aldergrove, Langley, and Richmond, BC. These searches led to the discovery of 3 separate illicit fentanyl production labs, with 2 suspects being arrested at one of the locations.

The fentanyl production labs located in the cities of Pitt Meadows, Mission, and Aldergrove were equipped with specialized chemical processing equipment often found in academic and professional research facilities, with one of the arrested individuals claiming to be a chemist with an advance degree in organic chemistry.

This proactive enforcement action into a BC-based organized crime group was first launched in the summer of 2023, with the RCMP Clandestine Lab Enforcement and Response (CLEAR) Team initiating an investigation into the importation of precursor chemicals, and commercial laboratory equipment that could be used for the purpose of synthesising fentanyl.

This enforcement action is an example of how we counter fentanyl production at its source, and continue to aggressively combat organized crime groups that are becoming increasingly more sophisticated in their scientific, and technical abilities, said, Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, Commander of the Federal Policing program in the Pacific Region. The RCMP continues to disrupt the production of fentanyl that is impacting Canadian communities. There continues to be no evidence, in this case and others, that these labs are producing fentanyl for exportation into the United States.

This investigation is ongoing, while the seized drugs, precursor chemicals, and other evidence continue to be processed.

If you know anyone who may be struggling with addiction, you can seek assistance through the BC Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service Line at 1-800-663-1441. And if you have information about a crime and wish to report it, you may contact your local police agency, or report it anonymously by calling BC Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Statement by Chief Superintendent Stephen Lee

• Over the last several weeks, RCMP Federal Policing investigators in BC have conducted a series of enforcement actions against organized crime groups across Metro Vancouver, and have successfully dismantled numerous sophisticated illicit fentanyl production labs.
• Our dedicated investigators, with assistance from local RCMP detachments and multiple federal policing teams, executed numerous search warrants across the cities of Pitt Meadows, Mission, Aldergrove, Langley, and Richmond, British Columbia.
• These searches led to the discovery of 3 separate illicit drug production facilities, with 2 suspected of producing fentanyl. The third is undetermined at this time. 2 suspects were arrested at one of the locations.
• This proactive enforcement action was first launched in the summer of 2023, with the RCMP Clandestine Lab Enforcement and Response (CLEAR) team initiating an investigation into the importation of unregulated chemicals, and commercial laboratory equipment that could be used for the purpose of synthesising illicit drugs including fentanyl, MDMA, and GHB.
• This interdiction has prevented several million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl from being produced and distributed across Canada. However, the discovery of commercial-grade chemistry equipment at all locations, in addition to the arrest of an individual who we suspect has a background in chemistry, points to a disturbing trend of progressively enhanced scientific and technical expertise, among transnational organized crime groups involved in the production and distribution of illicit drugs.
• As such, the RCMP Federal Policing program continue to adapt and improve our ability to effectively combat these criminal elements, while also closely working with our domestic, and international partners in countering the fentanyl crisis within Canada, and across our border.
• I would like to extend a special thanks to our partners including the Canada Border Services Agency who assisted in this investigation. This is an excellent example of how our collaboration, information sharing, and teamwork as law enforcement partners can achieve significant results in the disruption of organized crime in our communities.
• This continues to be an active, on-going investigation.

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Email: bcfederalpolicing_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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