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By: Natasha Wiebe
Significant amounts of Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) were seized in Weyburn last Friday, April 4th, when the Weyburn Police Service, in collaboration with the Vancouver Police Department Gang Crime Unit, intercepted a package en route to a Weyburn residence.
The package was thoroughly searched, uncovering approximately 17.75 litres of GHB. Deputy Police Chief with the Weyburn Police Service says this quantity is unheard of, even by the Vancouver department.
“They’ve never seen quantities like this either, so it was a joint effort between the two agencies. It shows that there is quite the connection between BC and, of course, Weyburn and the southeast in general, where a lot of the drugs are coming in from.”
GHB is known primarily as a party drug and a date-rape drug due to its ability to be discreetly added to beverages. It is known to cause euphoria and lower inhibitions and can lead to memory loss. The seizure is believed to have saved a number of unsuspecting victims.
“That’s huge, and that wouldn’t have been just for Weyburn, that would have been for all over down here.”
The investigation into the matter is ongoing as it is part of a larger criminal organization.
“There is some out of BC as well, and our investigation is still ongoing, but it’s always a lot of moving pieces and a lot of people involved in criminal organizations, right? High-level quantities like this, it’s definitely organized crime, and you wonder what else is actually coming across province to province, through vehicles, through mail, through couriers, on trains, all different ways.
“It’s nice to get a big catch, but how much is getting through still is always a scary thought.”
A 35-year-old Weyburn man was arrested in connection to the package, with a subsequent search warrant executed on his residence. As a result, he was charged with numerous charges, including possession of GHB for the purposes of trafficking, unauthorized possession of a firearm, unsafe storage of a firearm, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
St. John commends the officers involved in the seizure and investigation.
“The guys did a really, really good job, a really great investigation, still going, super proud of our members and what they pulled off here, and just we’ll keep going hard to keep Weyburn safe.”
