India-origin man arrested in Canada’s largest, most sophisticated drug “super lab”; large cache of arms, cash seized

SJ Singh/ Diaspora Correspondent/ November 2,2024

“The Pacific Region Royal Canada Mounted Police RCMP Federal Policing program has delivered a decisive blow to a major transnational organized crime group by dismantling the largest and most sophisticated fentanyl and methamphetamine drug superlab in Canada. The combined fentanyl and precursors seized at this facility could have amounted to over 95,500,000 potentially lethal doses of fentanyl, which have been prevented from entering our communities, or exported abroad” said official spokesperson of the RCMP.

On Friday, October 25, 2024, RCMP Federal investigators conducted a series of coordinated enforcement actions across Metro Vancouver, and executed search warrants on a massive drug superlab in Falkland, BC, and associated locations in the city of Surrey, BC.

These enforcement actions were led by the RCMP Federal Drugs and Organized Crime Group-6 team, with assistance from the Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement and Response team (CLEAR), RCMP Emergency Response Teams, the South East District Tactical Troop, Kamloops RCMP, Vernon RCMP, Surrey RCMP, and other partners.

Describing the drug superlab as the largest, and most sophisticated of its kind with the capability of producing multiple types of illicit drugs, Federal investigators seized 54 kg of fentanyl, massive amounts of precursor chemicals, 390 kg of methamphetamine, 35 kg of cocaine, 15 kg of MDMA, and 6 kg of cannabis.

In addition to the massive quantities of drugs and precursor chemicals, investigators seized a total of 89 firearms, which included 45 handguns, 21 Ar-15-style rifles, and submachine guns; many of which were loaded and ready for use. To date, nine of these guns have been identified as stolen.

The searches also yielded small explosive devices, large amounts of ammunition, firearm silencers, high-capacity magazines, body armour, and $500,000 in cash.

During the course of the investigation, members of the RCMP Drugs and Organized Crime team became aware of several large shipments of methamphetamine that had been prepared for shipment, and destined for international export. In order to prevent the export of these major drug shipments, with assistance from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Federal investigators executed an additional series of search warrants, and seized 310 kilograms of methamphetamine prior to it departing Canada.

Gaganpreet Randhawa was identified as the main suspect, and arrested by Federal Policing Group-6 investigators. Randhawa is currently in custody, and has been charged with numerous drug, and firearms-related offences.

Source: Insp. Jillian Wellard, Officer in Charge of Federal Policing Pacific Region, Drugs and Organized Crime, Group 6.

While this investigation is ongoing and one person has been arrested, Federal Policing investigators have been able to link this criminal operation to a recent enforcement action conducted by the RCMP CLEAR team where 30 tones of precursor chemicals were seized from a rural property in Enderby, BC. As a result, RCMP Federal Investigators are working to determine the source of the precursor chemicals associated to these enforcement actions.

Statement by Assistant Commissioner David Teboul

Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, Commander of the RCMP Federal Policing program in the Pacific Region said “following several months of investigative work into a transnational organized crime group involved in the production and distribution of massive quantities of illicit drugs, Federal Policing investigators have dismantled the largest, and most sophisticated drug superlab in Canadian history, and seized a record number of illegal firearms, synthetic drugs, and precursor chemicals.”

As a result, investigators seized approximately half-a-ton of hard drugs, including the following:

- 54 Kilograms of fentanyl;
- 390 kg of methamphetamine;
- 35 kg of cocaine;
- 15 kg of MDMA;
- 6 kg of cannabis;

In addition to the massive quantities of drugs and precursor chemicals, investigators seized a total of 89 firearms, which included dozens of handguns, AR15 assault rifles, and submachine guns; many of which were loaded and ready to be used. The searches also yielded several explosive devices, a massive amount of ammunition, firearm silencers, high-capacity magazines, body armour and $500,000 in cash.

Furthermore, the investigation to date has resulted in the seizure of a very significant volume (approximately 5000 Litres, and over 10 tons of powdered precursor chemicals) of unregulated and scheduled precursor chemicals, believed to be used to produce Fentanyl and MDMA. That said, of particular concern is the discovery of several tons of unregulated chemicals believed to be used to produce P2P (Phenyl-2-Propanone); a Class A scheduled precursor essential to manufacture crystal methamphetamine.

Manufacturing methamphetamine using P2P had not been seen in Western Canada until now. The P2P manufacturing method has been the primary method used by Mexican Cartels to produce methamphetamine for years.

Suspect, Gaganpreet RANDHAWA was identified and arrested by Federal Policing Group 6 investigators. RANDHAWA is currently in custody and has now been charged with the following 6 offences:

- Export a Controlled Substance 6(1) of the CDSA Act
- Possession of a controlled substance 5(2) CDSA Act
- Possession of a prohibited firearm 92(1) CC
- Possession of prohibited devices 92(2) CC
- Possession of explosive devices 82(1) CC
- Possession of a firearm 117.0(1) CC