Fentanyl, heroin seized in $1.8M drug bust in Vancouver

Vancouver Police have seized about $1.8 million worth of drugs, including fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine, after a six-month investigation known as Project Trooper.

Among the other items seized were about $575,000 in cash, eight vehicles, 12 firearms, anda crossbow. Police are now recommending charges against 11 people.

The investigation began lastSeptember when police learned a criminal organization was supplying people in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside with drugs such as cocaine, heroin and fentanyl.

Investigators from the Vancouver Police Organized Crime Section executed 11 search warrantsthroughout Vancouver, New Westminster,Coquitlam, Surrey and Maple Ridge on March 11.

Fentanyl-laced heroin andoxycodonehave resulted in the deaths of many occasional drug users, according to the police.

The crime group was allegedlyselling drugs to marginalized people in the Eastside and police believe the organization wasalsoshipping drugs to Vancouver Island and into Alberta.