Two men from Maple Ridge were arrested in Langley after a traffic stop resulted in a major drug takedown.
Langley RCMP’s special response team, with the support of Metro Vancouver Transit Police, seized what were called “significant” amounts of illicit drugs, currency, and a vehicle with an approximate combined value of $150,000 on Thursday, March 13.
It happened around 4 p.m., when officers located a suspicious vehicle in the 20200-block of 66 Avenue. It was known to police for being involved in organized crime in the Lower Mainland, and had previously fled from investigators.
A witness, who asked not to be named, described seeing a major police presence in a housing complex on 66 Avenue, just across from the Walmart store.
“I had turned right onto 202 Street, from the Walmart parking lot, and as I proceeded to drive up to 66th Avenue, I noticed across the street – in the complex’s entrance – about six to eight police vehicles,” the witness told Black Press Media.
“They had a person in custody and a grey car with its doors and trunk open.”
Other police vehicles could be seen in the area, the witness reported.
“I’m not sure if they had a tip or had been watching for awhile, but there were police vehicles parked all over.”
A Langley RCMP statement said when officers observed the suspect driver returning to the vehicle from a nearby apartment, they began to conduct a traffic stop.
The driver made attempts to flee from police, but their attempts were “thwarted,” the statement said.
Two suspects were taken into custody and a subsequent search resulted in the seizure of 8 kg of cannabis products in various forms; 700 grams of fentanyl; 300 grams of cocaine; more than 500 pills believed to be counterfeit OxyContin; $3,000 in currency; and a 2022 Mercedes GLC300.
“The hard work and dedication of the officers resulted in the successful apprehension of the suspects, which resulted in the disruption of organized crime,” said Langley RCMP Sgt. Zynal Sharoom.
Both men who were arrested have been released pending further investigation.
Langley RCMP thanked Metro Vancouver Transit Police for their assistance in this investigation “as they were a valuable resource in apprehending the suspects.”
