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New Westminster – Two New Westminster residents have been charged after a comprehensive fentanyl drug investigation initiated by the New Westminster Police Department Street Crime Unit. In February of 2016 the New Westminster Police Street Crime Unit initiated an investigation to target fentanyl drug traffickers.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. It is often used to ‘cut’ drugs such as cocaine and heroin, and many times users are unaware that their drugs are mixed with fentanyl. The risk of fentanyl use high, and has been related to numerous overdoses throughout the Lower Mainland. It takes as little as 0.02 grams at 95% purity to be fatal.
After an in-depth investigation, two search warrants were executed in New Westminster and Surrey. With the use of the Emergency Response Team, and in collaboration with the Surrey Drug Unit, equipment for the use of drug production was seized along with a street level amount of drugs believed to be cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and crystal methamphetamine.
Further to the drug seizure, a sawed off rifle, two other rifles, and a shotgun were all seized along with several boxes of ammunition from the two search warrants.
46 year old Richard Dean Findlay has been charged with multiple drug and weapons offences, which include:
- One count of Trafficking Cocaine, section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
- Six counts of Trafficking Heroin and Fentanyl, section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
- One count of Possessing Heroin, section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; and,
- Two counts of Possessing a Firearm, section 91(1) of the Criminal Code.
33 year old Julie Ellen Broadway has also been charged:
- One count of Trafficking Heroin and Fentanyl, section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
“Drug trafficking and weapons possession pose an obvious risk to public safety and negatively affect the entire community.” stated Media Relations Officer Acting Sergeant Jeff Scott. “We take these offences very seriously, which is why our Street Crime Unit has devoted the time and energy to stop drug dealers from profiting in our city. We’d like to thank the Surrey RCMP and the Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team for their assistance in this investigation.”
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