Copyright Caledonia Courier
The Vancouver Police Department made three arrests, seized $336,000 worth of illicit drugs and recovered thousands in stolen property as part of a drug bust on Sept. 25. Police began the investigation in August, specifically targeting criminal activity in the area of Carrall and East Hastings streets, according to a news release from Vancouver police Wednesday (Oct. 22). Over the course of the six-week investigation into organized crime, police found evidence of organized crime allegedly operating out of the building that houses the West Hotel and Pub on Carrall Street. Police said that despite the overall decline in violent crime in Vancouver, residents and business owners in the East Vancouver area continue to face safety concerns due to organized crime. "Organized criminals are still finding ways to profit at the expense of the neighbourhood’s most vulnerable," Sgt. Steve Addison said in a statement. "Criminals were taking valuable housing away from people who need it most." The West Hotel is a single-room occupancy that provides housing for low-income individuals The investigation found several suites were allegedly being used by a criminal network to traffic drugs, weapons and stolen goods. Among the items recovered were: • $35,000 in cash • 2.5 kilograms of illicit drugs • stolen merchandise worth $30,000 • over 50 weapons, including knives, machetes and guns None of the arrested Downtown Eastside residents. The men have not yet been charged, and police say the investigation is still ongoing. Sally Ji is a Kwantlen Polytechnic University practicum student working with Black Press Media.
