Local RCMP not directly involved in Falkland drug lab bust

FALKLAND, B.C. — The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP did not play a direct role in a drug superlab bust in October.

Federal RCMP teams raided what was deemed the “largest, most sophisticated drug lab” in Canadian history in Falkland last month.

During that raid, hundreds of kilograms of illicit drugs, including fentanyl and cocaine, as well as precursor chemicals and high end equipment used to process the drugs, were seized.

Speaking to Vernon City Council Tuesday, Nov. 12, Blake McLeod, Superintendent of the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP, said the local detachment was not directly involved with the police operation.

“It’s in our area, we are aware of what’s going on. Some incredible work done by our federal units, F-SOC (Federal Serious and Organized Crime) is what they’re known,” McLeod told council.

“A lot of drugs, a lot of guns and a lot of cash off the streets. It will have a huge impact not just locally, but provincially and probably even bigger than that.

“I wish we could take credit for that, but no, it wasn’t our teams. But we were aware and provided a very small bit of support as required.”

The lab was suspected of being connected with organized crime operating in Western Canada and involved in inter-provincial and international drug activity.

Properties in Surrey were also raided as part of this police operation.

One man was arrested and faced numerous drug- and firearm-related charges.