3 people arrested for "dark web drug trafficking" in BC: RCMP

A year-long investigation by the RCMP has led to three people being arrested and the dismantling of a “dark web drug trafficking” operation in British Columbia.

A police statement explains that the investigation began in January 2019. The FSOC began Project EPateriform, which investigated online drug trafficking that took place on the dark web and used bitcoin exchanges. A “prolific dark web vendor” known as “AlwaysOvrWeight” was tracked to Nanaimo, BC.

• See also:
  • VIA Rail cancelling all Canadian trips until further notice
  • Wet’suwet’en solidarity demonstrations continue in Kitsilano and at UBC
  • Demonstrators gather at Vancouver City Hall in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en

As the investigation continued, law enforcement found evidence that suggested that “AlwaysOvrWeight” was selling and shipping drugs to Canadians, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, GHB, psilocybin (mushrooms), ketamine, and fentanyl.

Investigators were also able to identify the individuals involved in the operation. Sergeant Warren Krahenbil, Media Relations Officer for the FSOC, credits investigators for their use of both “conventional and non-conventional techniques.”

Earlier this February, the FSOC finally executed a search warrant at a residence on the 3900 blocks of Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo. Police officers reportedly found a GHB processing lab, as well as evidence of drug packaging and trafficking.

A second search warrant was executed on the same day on the 6100 blocks of Kiara Place, where police say they found evidence of drug trafficking using the dark web.

RCMP confirm that three Nanaimo residents were arrested, however, the investigation remains on-going and no charges have been laid.