'I'm smarter than they are': Underground chemist says police losing fentanyl battle

AB.C. drug producer known as Beeker says underground chemists are steps ahead of the police when it comes to the movement of illicit drugson the streets.

Beeker is the subject of a new documentary,Unstoppable: The Fentanyl Epidemic, in whichhe opens up about the big business behind the drug.

He says police are far behind when it comes to tracking drugs throughout the province, and he saysmany local chemists are synthesizing drugs with materials ordered from China.

"I'm smarter than theyare ... all of us chemists are smarter than the police, and we'regonnastay ahead of them," he coldly tells filmmaker RobertOsborne."And if they find out one of the oneswe are making, we'll make a different one and this will go on forever."

Recent news does seem to prove him right: even deadlieropioids have already hit the streets in Vancouver. Carfentanil has turned up in several instances, according to Vancouver policeand it's 100 times more potent than fentanyl.

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"Fentanylis soon to be obsolete. It's just not going to be out there becausethere'smuch more profitable drugs itdoesn'tmatter about better or safer much more profitable drugs and molecules are on the way," Beeker says in the film.

"They're in the mail right now."

Trying to stay ahead

Beeker's ominous words echo throughout the upcoming film, which will air Dec. 1on CBC Television.

Another person featured is RCMPCpl.EricBoechlerof B.C.'s Clandestine Lab Enforcement and Response Team.Boechler has had several run-ins with the notorious drug producer, and admits that his words are frustrating.

"I know Beeker I've been involved in an operation where he's been arrested," he told host Gloria Macarenko on CBC'sBC Almanac.

"He's someone we definitely keep tabs on because we do knowthat, likely, he's going to get back into it."

In his role with the enforcement and response team, Boechler is at the forefront of B.C.'s opioid epidemic, whichhas claimed more than 600 lives. He says it's an uphill battle as different compounds hit the streets.

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"Unfortunately, it's bigger or worse every month. We're being deployedmore and more than we ever have before to incidents across the province. We are seeing stronger, more potentanalogsbeyond what justfentanylis ...more potent and dangerous compounds [are] coming out all the time."

Boechler says the RCMP is working to the best of its abilities.

"There's always emerging trends coming out.We are playing catch-up all the time,we're trying to get in front of whatever new compound may be coming out. Get it regulated as soon as we can, and prevent it from being put out on the street."

With files from CBC's BC Almanac

To listen to the full interview, click here