British Columbia: Charges have been approved against five men from British Columbia following a detailed investigation by the Pacific Region Federal Policing Program’s Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement and Response (CLEAR) team. The investigation, which began in the spring of 2022, focused on the production and trafficking of MDMA (Ecstasy) and led to the execution of search warrants on four properties in Maple Ridge and Coquitlam. This operation resulted in the discovery and dismantling of a large synthetic drug lab and the seizure of 49 kilograms of MDMA, along with precursor chemicals capable of producing an additional 80 kilograms. Additionally, a Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV, a Tesla 3, and over $51,000 in cash were confiscated.
The individuals charged—Dennis Halstead, Shawn Cappis, Balbinder Johal, Richard Waugh, and Christopher Alves—face multiple offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), with court appearances set for August 14, 2024. The CLEAR team, known for its specialized focus on synthetic drug production and related investigations, continues to support various police and government agencies in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory.