Gaganpreet Randhawa Named Prime Suspect as RCMP Dismantles Canada’s Largest Drug Superlab in B.C.

Canadian law enforcement RCMP has dismantled what they describe as the largest drug superlab in the country’s history, a major strike against transnational organized crime. The RCMP-led investigation, spanning months, unraveled a sophisticated network allegedly producing and distributing massive amounts of illegal drugs across Canada.

Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, overseeing federal policing in the Pacific Region, announced the operation’s results at a press conference. Teboul explained that the investigation exposed an advanced drug superlab operating out of Falkland, British Columbia, alongside other operational sites in Surrey, BC. The law enforcement operation, which included several search warrants and enforcement actions, resulted in the seizure of a staggering volume of drugs, firearms, and chemical precursors.

The RCMP reported confiscating around 500 kilograms of hard drugs, which included 55 kilograms of fentanyl, 390 kilograms of methamphetamine, 35 kilograms of cocaine, 15 kilograms of MDMA, and 6 kilograms of cannabis. This bust equates to tens of millions of potential drug doses removed from circulation. For context, the fentanyl alone represented an estimated 95 million lethal doses, enough to endanger every Canadian twice over, according to Teboul.

The seized fentanyl, meth, and other drugs were intended for large-scale distribution across Canada, Teboul indicated, which could have generated nearly half a billion dollars in revenue for the organized crime syndicate.

In addition to the drugs, authorities seized an arsenal of firearms. This included 89 firearms such as handguns, AR-15 assault rifles, and submachine guns—many loaded and ready to use. Explosives, high-capacity magazines, firearm silencers, body armor, and nearly $500,000 in cash were also discovered at the locations, underscoring the high-risk nature of the operation and the group’s extreme preparedness for armed conflict.

A significant part of this investigation revealed the presence of phenyl-2-propanone (P2P) at the Falkland superlab. P2P is an essential precursor for manufacturing methamphetamine. The discovery of large quantities of unregulated chemicals used for P2P production marks the first known instance of this method in Western Canada, Teboul noted, and points to an alarming development that mirrors the synthetic production methods of Mexican drug cartels.

“This particular method has allowed cartels to produce and distribute meth on an international scale. Finding this here is a concerning evolution,” Teboul explained.

The RCMP has identified Gaganpreet Randhawa as the prime suspect in the superlab operation. Randhawa has been charged with multiple drug and firearm offenses and remains in custody as the investigation proceeds. The charges against him represent some of the most severe criminal indictments under Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and firearms regulations.

Following this superlab takedown, Canadian federal investigators targeted related drug trafficking activities on Vancouver Island. Law enforcement executed search warrants at multiple sites, including the Green Coast Dispensary in Port Alberni and the Coastal Storm Dispensary in Lantzville. Six suspects were apprehended, and investigators seized thousands of counterfeit cannabis-laced edibles, including THC-laced snacks and candies mimicking popular brands. Additional items recovered included contraband tobacco, a shotgun, two ATMs, and over $400,000 in cash.

Canadian authorities are hailing this operation as a landmark victory against the production and distribution of synthetic drugs, particularly fentanyl, which has driven an overdose epidemic across North America. Assistant Commissioner Teboul emphasized that the quantity of fentanyl seized underscores the severity of the ongoing opioid crisis and highlights the need for heightened vigilance against such powerful substances flooding into communities.