A Duncan man was one of three men charged after a 14-month investigation by Vancouver police into an illicit drug lab on the Lower Mainland producing fentanyl and other deadly street drugs.
Jason Conrad was charged with trafficking fentanyl and counts of possession of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and benzodiazepine for the purpose of trafficking. Conrad was also charged with weapons offences.
The criminal charges stem from VPD’s Project Toluene, a sting operation initiated in January 2023 targeting organized crime groups manufacturing and trafficking illicit drugs at various locations throughout the Lower Mainland. The investigation led VPD to a drug lab inside a Richmond home, which was dismantled in April 2023.
Liam MacRae and Erin Fineday, both of Richmond, were also charged with trafficking, possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine and production of fentanyl.
“People continue to die in record numbers from toxic drugs that are manufactured and sold by organized criminals,” Insp. Phil Heard, officer in charge of VPD’s Organized Crime Section, said in a statement.
“As long as this is happening, we will focus our investigative energy on rooting out the people responsible for fueling the toxic drug crisis.”
Police seized $7.8 million worth of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine destined for distribution in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island during the sting operation.
The haul from the Richmond lab and a condo in the Coal Harbour area totalled 27.7 kilograms of fentanyl, two kilograms of cocaine and 800 grams methamphetamine, as well as $365,000 in cash.
