Sevenchargedindrugsting

KYLE BALZER kbalzer@tricitynews.com

Charges have been laid against seven suspects nearly two years after a major drug trafficking ring in the Tri-Cities was shut down.

In 2021, police seized a slew of illicit drugs, guns, hundreds of thousands of dollars in vehicles and cash, and other illegal items at multiple locations during a sting operation known as “Project Eneowise.”

This included Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, as well as Richmond and Vancouver.

In an update on July 20, RCMP said charges were approved on July 7 for the group of individuals involved six men and one woman ranging from 26 to 56 years old, five of whom are listed as Tri-Cities residents.

“The success of this project demonstrates the unwavering commitment to aggressively pursuing organized crime networks working within the Vancouver Lower Mainland,” said Supt Keith Bramhill, Officer in Charge of Coquitlam RCMP, in a statement.

Disrupt Networks

“We will continue to enforce against the illegal drug trade and disrupt criminal networks often to create safer communities.”

Eneowise began in fall 2020 as a means to target known drug traffickers across Metro Vancouver

The investigation ultimately led to seven search warrants executed over nine months between April and December 2021 uncovering a cache of drugs, drug paraphernalia, weapons, firearms and luxury vehicles.

Coquitlam RCMP’s drugs, organized crime and uniform crime reduction units were the leads for Project Eneowise Other agencies called upon included the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-BC), Richmond RCMP and the Vancouver Police Department.

If You Know More

Anyone with more information about the drug trafficking incidents or of any suspicious activity in their neighbourhood should call Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550