More than $31,000 worth of drugs is off the streets and one person may face charges after a three-day investigation in Victoria.
VicPD arrested one individual after its Strike Force identified someone suspected of trafficking drugs on multiple occasions in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue and various Victoria supportive housing facilities. Strike Force is an investigative unit within VicPD that uses covert surveillance methods and leads undercover operations to support complex investigations.
Armed with a search warrant and the help of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team, officers searched two of the individual’s residences, VicPD said in a news release.
Searches in the 10-block of Menzies Street and the 1400-block of Fort Street netted $21,000 in cash, 150 hydromorephone pills, 236 grams of crack cocaine, 176 grams of fentanyl and 480 packs of contraband cigarettes. Police say the street value of the cocaine and fentanyl is roughly $31,500. A suspect was arrested in one of the homes.
Police will not release further information as the investigation continues and officers work toward recommending charges, VicPD said. The suspect was released after a bail hearing Feb. 26.
VicPD says the arrest builds on its Pandora Avenue And Ellice Street Safety Plan – a collaborative effort to remove homeless camps throughout Victoria and help those living on the streets find support and housing – that started last fall.
“We remain focused on identifying the criminals who are preying on the most vulnerable people in our community, and taking action to combat these crimes,” Chief Del Manak said. “We are committed to disrupting criminal networks, and I am proud of the work that Strike Force, and all of our officers, are doing to protect the safety and well-being of everyone in our community.”
