False kidnapping report leads police to illicit drug operation in North Vancouver

A false report of a kidnapping has resulted in the arrestsof four people and the seizure of what North Vancouver RCMPcalla "substantial" amount of illicit drugs from a warehouse near the north end of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge.

Police went to the warehouse in the 1500-block of Richmond Street at around 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 after someone reported a manbeing held there had been kidnapped at gunpoint.

Two vehicles were seen leaving the building and the occupants were arrested in Vancouver with the assistance of Vancouver police.

Cash and drugs, including marijuana and magic mushrooms, were seized from the warehouse, according to a release fromNorth Vancouver RCMP. Police saidit appears the location was being used to store and package drugs to be shipped and sold on the streets.

North Vancouver RCMP spokesmanConst. Mansoor Sahaksaid investigators have not found any evidence a kidnapping actually occurred and now believe the call to police was a "false flag" intended to target the drug operation.

Two men from Surrey are facing charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking. A woman and man who were also arrestedhave been released but could still face charges, according to Sahak.