Fentanyl traffickers busted

Photo: Kelowna RCMP

The Kelowna RCMP says they’ve broken up a sophisticated fentanyl and carfentanil trafficking operation on the dark web.

The police probe started in September 2016 — dubbed Project E-Neophile — looking into two Kelowna residents suspected of importing both fentanyl and carfentanil from overseas. The drugs were then trafficked throughout the world via the internet’s dark web.

Over several weeks, police watched the suspects mail drug packages to various destinations across North America. Then, a user profile alleged to be linked to the suspects went dark and remained inactive until early July 2017, when the suspect launched a new user profile on a different dark web marketplace.

On Aug. 10, 2017, officers raided a downtown Kelowna business in the 1500 block of Pandosy and a home in the 1100 block of Loseth Drive. Arrests were made at both locations.

“As many as 25 packages suspected of containing fentanyl or carfentanil, destined for Canadian, American, European and Australian cities, were intercepted by authorities. In addition, two unsecured firearms were seized from the residence along with approximately $68,000 USD in Bitcoin," said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, spokesperson for the Kelowna RCMP.

O’Donaghey said in excess of 120 grams of bulk fentanyl and carfentanil was seized, in addition to another three kilograms of unknown powders and substances.

“In communications with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, it has been indicated this may be one of the most significant and perhaps the most sophisticated fentanyl/carfentanil trafficking and exportation enterprises that has been uncovered in Canada to date,” said Sgt. Alex Lynch of the Kelowna RCMP Street Enforcement Unit.

A 35-year-old Kelowna man and a 28-year-old Kelowna woman each face potential charges. Both have since been released from custody on strict conditions and will appear in court on Dec. 8, 2017.