RCMP seize dozens of guns, drugs in separate Vancouver-area busts

Drugs, guns and cash were seized by RCMP officers in two Metro Vancouver cities after officers busted what they believe to be organized drug-trafficking operations, the force's detachments in Surrey and Burnaby announced Wednesday.

In Burnaby, two men and two women were charged with 28 drug- and firearm-related offences following a year-long investigation led by the detachment's Drugs and Organized Crime Section, RCMP said.

Farbn Marvin Japow, 23, Ishpreet Kaur Mahil, 21, and Ulrich Munyangoga, 24, are charged with multiple counts of trafficking in a controlled substance. Japow is also charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and a prohibited device.

Sofiya Makhasher, 23, is also facing drug and firearm charges.

Police said four search warrants were executed in Delta, Langley, Vancouver, and Burnaby, where the following drugs were seized:

• 250.86 grams of fentanyl
• 181.78 grams of methamphetamine
• 519.07 grams of cocaine
• 28.35 grams of Nitazene
• A sheet of LSD tabs

In the seizures, police also found more than $14,000 in cash, a radio jammer, a stolen, modified and loaded Glock 16 handgun, and a silencer.

"The amount of drugs and weapons taken off our streets as a result of this investigation is substantial," said Burnaby RCMP Sgt Randy Mortensen.

Surrey investigation

In a separate bust in Surrey, police seized guns, drugs and explosives at a property in the 12200-block of Industrial Road.

The property had been identified as a problem residence in spring 2024, and a search warrant was executed on Aug. 22. Twelve people were arrested.

Police recovered:

• 500 grams of suspected illicit drugs
• Approximately $10,000 cash
• Four handguns inside the residence, including a 3D printed gun
• Various ammunition rounds
• Prohibited magazines
• Radio jammers
• Two stolen vehicles
• Several stolen licence plates
• Three duffel bags found to contain 16 firearms
• Approximately 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms) of explosives

Police executed a second search warrant on the property, in which they recovered more guns, crossbows, prescription opioids and 830 grams of suspected methamphetamine.

Police did not confirm whether the seizures in Burnaby and Surrey are believed to be part of the same organized drug trafficking operation.

The Surrey investigation is ongoing.