Law enforcement experts say provincial police need more federal resources to shut down Western Canada’s booming fentanyl super labs
“Pretty much all police associations across Canada are suffering from a lack of resources right now, and we’re certainly no exception,” said Inspector Angela Kemp of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT), a joint force targeting organized crime that includes the RCMP and local police forces.
“When we look at the lab in Valleyview, those types of investigations are very resource-intensive,” said Kemp. “Everything from getting the required evidence to even obtaining a search warrant to find out what’s happening at the property takes quite a bit of time and manpower.”
Kemp said that 75 team members were engaged on the months-long operation, a joint effort of ALERT and the RCMP’s Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Response Team.
The illegal drug production facilities integrate multiple stages of synthesis, starting with chemical precursors that are lightly regulated and unregulated.
Kemp says she hopes the federal government will devote more resources to tackling the problem.
“We would welcome any assistance to have the ability to do more investigations more often, and have more organizations involved,” Kemp said.
“The more organizations that are involved in creating safer communities, the better,” Kemp said.
B.C. Conservative MLA and public safety critic Elenore Sturko said she’s concerned the federal government is putting fancy new hardware ahead of the personnel needed to investigate and shut down illicit labs.
“Things like drones and helicopters are certainly needed, but what’s being ignored is that we’re running a deficit of personnel, especially in B.C., and that’s being purposely done to save money,” said Sturko, a former police officer.
“There is no replacement for the human intelligence and investigative work done by officers who are trained to do that,” she said.
Calvin Chrustie, a retired 32-year RCMP veteran who now works as a global risk consultant, said that transnational groups increasingly see Canada as a “low-risk, high-profit” place to manufacture fentanyl and other synthetic drugs.
“We’re seeing an increase in productivity because they feel safe operating here,” Chrustie told the National Post.
“And superficial additions like drones and helicopters along the border aren’t going to make them feel any less safe,” said Chrustie. “What will, is giving police the tools to go after these people.”
National Post
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