A significant RCMP drug bust, which netted nine arrests, should spur the federal government to tighten regulations on chemicals used to make synthetic drugs, said B.C.'s top cop.
"We need to come down hard and fast on the flow of illicit drug precursors in Canada," said Solicitor-General Kash Heed. "We need regulations that enable us to respond quickly to the rapid changes in drug crime trends. We don't have two, three, five or even 10 years to wait."
Heed made his demand yesterday at RCMP E-Division headquarters where police displayed the spoils of an 18-month investigation that concluded with the seizure of methamphetamine, 14,000 ecstasy tablets, three kilograms of MDMA powder used to produce ecstasy, six kilograms of ketamine, $250,000 in cash and seven guns found at sites in Richmond, Vancouver and Abbotsford.
The investigation is linked to the arrests of two 27-year-old Edmonton men caught in a ketamine bust.
The chemical precursors used to make the drugs along with industrial pill presses are legal to possess.
Heed called for mandatory reporting to police of all suspicious sales of chemical precursors and background checks of all vendors.
Crown has yet to approve charges against the suspects.
