The RCMP has dismantled what it calls the largest and most advanced drug superlab in Canadian history, located in British Columbia’s Interior. According to Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, commander of federal policing in the Pacific Region, the superlab’s discovery is the result of a multi-month investigation into a transnational crime syndicate involved in the production and distribution of illicit drugs on a massive scale. Despite the sheer scope of the operation, only one individual, Gaganpreet Randhawa, has been arrested and is currently facing multiple charges related to drugs and firearms.
Seizures from the superlab include a staggering half-tonne of drugs, comprising 55 kilograms of fentanyl, 390 kilograms of methamphetamine, 35 kilograms of cocaine, 15 kilograms of MDMA, and six kilograms of cannabis. Police also confiscated 89 firearms, including AR15 assault rifles and submachine guns, alongside a significant cache of ammunition, firearm silencers, and high-capacity magazines. Explosive devices, body armor, and over $500,000 in cash were also discovered during the raids, which took place in Falkland, B.C., and Surrey over the weekend.
The RCMP’s investigation also led to the seizure of a substantial quantity of precursor chemicals, key ingredients in the production of fentanyl and MDMA. Particularly notable was the presence of several tonnes of unregulated chemicals used to produce phenyl-2-propanone (P2P), a primary precursor in methamphetamine manufacturing. This method, largely utilized by Mexican cartels, marks the first instance of its discovery in Western Canada, signaling a potential shift in the drug manufacturing landscape in the region.
The sheer quantity of fentanyl seized represents approximately 95 million lethal doses, a volume that, as Teboul emphasized, could theoretically “take the lives of every Canadian at least twice over.” With this cache now off the streets, the RCMP has prevented an estimated $485 million in potential criminal profit. Randhawa, identified as the primary suspect, remains in custody facing a list of drug and firearms-related charges.
In a separate incident on Vancouver Island, RCMP officials recently dismantled another illegal drug operation involving six suspects and two dispensaries. The takedown yielded thousands of counterfeit cannabis-laced edibles disguised as popular snacks, including chocolate bars, candies, and chips. The seized products, containing THC and possibly other cross-contaminated substances, underscore growing concerns over unregulated edible production and its public safety implications.