Two more people have been charged in relation to an Abbotsford Police Department (APD) investigation that earlier this year targeted those dealing in fentanyl and carfentanil.
Five people, ages 18 to 22, now face a total of more than 30 drug and weapon charges.
Sgt. Judy Bird said the APD’s gang and drug unit began the investigation – dubbed Purple Rain – in January.
The first set of charges – against three people – resulted after a bust took place March 1.
At that time, police executed search warrants of a residence and four vehicles in central Abbotsford,
Drugs seized included heroin and cocaine, which analysis later showed both contained fentanyl, carfentanil and methylfentanyl.
Fentanyl is an opioid attributed to the epidemic in drug-overdose deaths across the province in the last year.
Carfentanil is believed to be 100 times more toxic than fentanyl and has just recently begun showing up on the local drug scene.
Methlyfentanyl, an analog of fentanyl, is similarly more potent than fentanyl.
Charged at that time were Sarabjit Mann, 22; Karanjit Mann, 19; and Akashdeep Bhoot, 20.
Charged more recently in relation to the investigation are Sukhvir Gill, 19, and Navkarn Sandhu, 18.
The charges are broken down as follows:
– Sarabjit Mann, 17 charges – 10 counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, four counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, two counts of careless use or storage of a firearm, and one count of possession of a prohibited firearm;
– Bhoot, nine charges – five counts of trafficking and four counts of drug possession;
– Karanjit Mann, four charges – three counts of possession and one count of trafficking;
– Gill – two counts of trafficking; and
– Sandhu – one count of trafficking.
Bird said the APD will continue to target individuals involved in the current Lower Mainland gang conflict and to improve public safety through “targeted enforcement.”
Anyone who has questions or needs advice concerning gangs is encouraged to contact helpyouth@abbypd.ca or call 604-864-4777.