Three people have been arrested and several drugs have been seized by the Surrey RCMP.
Last week, thousands of doses of street drugs, including fentanyl, along with $16,000 cash were taken after a month-long investigation.
In November 2016, Surrey RCMP launched a drug investigation as a result of the high number of overdose related deaths. The investigation focused on drug traffickers who were believed to be supplying drugs to the 135A Street area in North Surrey.
On Jan. 13, a search warrant was executed in the 10100 block of 127 Street.
About 240 doses of suspected heroin/fentanyl was seized, along with 21 doses of methamphetamine packaged for sale, and approximately $13,000 in Canadian currency. A 30-year-old Surrey man was arrested.
A subsequent search warrant was executed on January 26, 2017, in the 9500 block of 127 Street. The search warrant resulted in the seizure of 3,600 doses of suspected heroin/fentanyl, 500 doses of methamphetamine, and 410 doses of crack cocaine all packaged for street level sale.
Also seized was approximately $3,000 in Canadian currency.
Lee Roy Braaten, 54, from Surrey, has been charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.
Also arrested and charged with drug related offences is 47-year-old Surrey resident Wanda Stopa.
Her arrest and the subsequent seizure of suspected heroin/fentanyl prevented approximately 300 doses of the potentially fatal drug from reaching the streets. She has been charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purposes of trafficking and one count of Failing to comply with a recognizance.
“Surrey has had the second highest number of overdose deaths in BC, second only to Vancouver,” says Surrey RCMP Insp. Shawna Baher, Surrey RCMP Proactive Enforcement Officer. “The 135A Street area and the people that frequent that area have been significantly impacted by the ongoing fentanyl health crisis… This investigation will have a significant impact on illegal drug activity in this area and has no doubt saved lives.”
For more information on the Surrey Outreach Team and how it is engaging the community please visit the Surrey RCMP website.