Police say a multi-department led investigation found a clandestine lab operating in Shawnigan Lake.
The year-long investigation led to multiple arrests, seizure of over a million dollars in cash, large quantities of GHB (date rape drug), precursor materials for making anabolic steroids, kilos of cocaine and tons of lab equipment.
Erin Fraser with Sidney North Saanich RCMP says it began with an informant tip that a lab was being run in the 1100 block of Quatsino Drive.
“During the course of our investigation into the particular property, our investigators realized that the clan lab had actually been moved to a lab in Shawnigan Lake.”
A search warrant was executed at a property of on the 2300 block of Ravenhill Road in Shawnigan Lake on June of 2016 revealed the lab after six months of investigation.
These materials were discovered during raids at properties in Saanich and North Saanich as well.
“The seizure of these drugs, and proceeds of crime, has put a sizable dent in the drug trafficking that’s occurring in the lower Island area” said Sidney/North Saanich RCMP Detachment Commander acting Sgt. Wayne Conley said in a prepared release.
49-year-old Alexander Djafar- Zade of Saanich and two Shawnigan Lake Residents: 26-year-old Meagon Blake and Christopher Hyland were arrested and charged with numerous counts of possession and drug trafficking related counts. 26-year-old James Thomas Rempel, a Saanich resident has been charged with one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking.
