Richmond RCMP’s Organized Crime Unit (OCU) searched two private residences allegedly running illegal cannabis operations and found over 400 pounds of weed, methamphetamine, fentanyl and magic mushrooms.
The OCU searched a residence on May 7 located at the 8000 block of Demorest Dr., which is said to be a marijuana brokerage business, according to a statement Thursday.
Inside, the RCMP unit found an illegal operation with 260 pounds of weed, around 900 grams of what appears to be meth, approximately 400 grams of fentanyl and a firearm.
“A marihuana brokerage can operate as a distributor for growers of both legal and illegal marihuana,” police say.
Read more: BC focuses on cannabis enforcement as illicit market shrinks
Read more: Salmon Arm RCMP seize 1,600 cannabis plants from unlicensed grow
The OCU searched a second residence May 17, an apartment on the 10000 block of River Drive suspected to be an illegal dispensary.
During the search, police found 167 pounds of bulk and commercially packaged cannabis, 3.5 kilograms of psilocybin mushrooms and thousands of commercially packaged psilocybin-infused edibles.
While the sites don’t appear to be connected, RCMP says it continues to receive reports regarding illegal cannabis operations in Richmond.
“These operations often have a nexus to organized crime and pose a potential risk to public safety,” reads the statement.
The RCMP asks that landlords and the public watch for residences with “strange” odours, covered windows and lots of people coming and going from the residence.
Last week, B.C.’s Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth released the results of a testing initiative that found contaminants in cannabis seized from illicit sellers in the province.
Following this, he said the province is shifting its focus from education to the enforcement of cannabis laws and regulations, except on First Nations lands.
Read more: Testing pilot finds multiple contaminants in illicit BC bud
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