A Port Alberni man has been sentenced to 10 years in jail after a “staggering” amount of drugs was recovered from his residence over a series of four years.
On June 30, the 53-year-old Josef Brodek was convicted in Nanaimo Courts of multiple offences, including drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms.
Port Alberni RCMP say the conviction stems from an arrest in 2019, where a search warrant conducted at Brodek’s Port Alberni residence located “significant amounts” of drugs, three firearms and more than $100,000 in cash.
In 2020, this investigation led to another search warrant of Brodek’s residence, resulting in the seizure of an additional 3,000 single uses of methamphetamine and large amounts of other drugs.
In 2022, Brodek sold drugs to undercover police officers on three occasions. A third search of his residence located another wide array of drugs.
In total, Port Alberni RCMP say they seized more than $115,000, more than 13,000 individual doses of methamphetamine, 3,000 units of cocaine, nearly 2,600 units of GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate, also known as a date rape drug) and more than 1,100 units of fentanyl, along with “a multitude” of other pills and illicit drugs.
The investigation and search also located two firearms and a wedding ring that were associated with break and enters. The wedding ring was returned to its rightful owner, according to RCMP.
Constable Richard Johns of the Port Alberni RCMP says the total amount of drugs seized was “staggering.” The COVID-19 pandemic caused delays in the court system, which led to Brodek being charged for some offences nearly three years later.
“In this case, considering the accused continued trafficking while under charge, and considering the amount of drugs, cash and weapons seized, it’s important that we inform the community of the care, effort and expertise of our officers to investigate these offences to keep us safe,” said Johns.
