Police bust international drug ring operating out of Vancouver
Dec 12, 2007

VANCOUVER - Police have broken up an international crime ring operating mostly out of Metro Vancouver and put the alleged ringleader behind bars.

Investigators from B.C.'s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit worked with police agencies in the U.S., Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, India and China to unearth the drug smuggling network.

More than 100 people are being arrested and charged with drug-related offences, police told a news conference Wednesday.

"The distribution of illegal drugs is not just a local issue," said Supt. Marianne Ryan, the unit's officer in charge. "The trade of illegal drugs by organized crime can affect people across international boundaries."

Police said the ring was responsible for producing, importing and distributing drugs ranging from cocaine and heroin to methamphetamine and marijuana.

Insp. Dean Robinson said the bust "represents the largest and most significant drug file for the Vancouver police department."

"This project is significant, it's integrated, it's global, and it's reached the top at this point," he said. "We've been effective in this file, in essence we have chopped the head off of the snake . . . we've gone right to the top on this one."

Police said the kingpin of the drug syndicate, a 40-year-old Vancouver man, is in custody.

Police seized more than 600 kilograms of cocaine, 111 kilograms of methamphetamines, 83 kilograms of ecstasy and 3,500 kilograms of marijuana.

They also seized real estate worth over $6 million, $2 million in cash, vehicles worth over $300,000 and 17 handguns and prohibited weapons.


not bad

7700 lbs of pot
needap Reviewed by needap on . huge bust in Vancouver Police bust international drug ring operating out of Vancouver Dec 12, 2007 VANCOUVER - Police have broken up an international crime ring operating mostly out of Metro Vancouver and put the alleged ringleader behind bars. Investigators from B.C.'s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit worked with police agencies in the U.S., Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, India and China to unearth the drug smuggling network. More than 100 people are being arrested and charged with Rating: 5