Victoria Police Department and the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team seized guns, drugs and cash in a housing facility on Johnson Street for the second time in three weeks.
On Jan.10, officers located 1.4 kilograms of drugs, including meth, fentanyl and cocaine, along with cash and loaded firearms. One man was arrested at the building and but was released pending charges.
“These weapons are being used to exploit some of the most vulnerable members of our community, and the level of violent crime we are seeing here is a significant risk to residents and staff,” Chief Del Manak said in a statement. “I want to reassure our community that VicPD are working closely with our partners to address these ongoing safety concerns.”
Police said in a statement that the arrested man’s release is a result of Bill C-75, which requires police to release suspects as soon as possible, after considering flight risk, public safety and the impact on confidence in the criminal justice system.
This bust comes right behind a similar incident on Dec. 20, during which VicPD found a similar amount of drugs, two guns and over $50,000 in cash. Two suspects were taken into custody, with officers recommending charges of drug trafficking and charges related to firearms.
The building has been rife with gun-related incidents and in July of last year, VicPD seized a wide range of firearms, including handguns, shotguns, replicas and miscellaneous firearms parts.