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Three arrested, thousands of suspected fentanyl doses seized in Surrey drug busts

Street drugs, including fentanyl, and cash seized after two-month investigation.
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Surrey RCMP have arrested three people and seized a large haul of drugs and cash after a two-month probe.

RCMP executed a search warrant in the 10100 block of 127 Street on Jan. 13, and seized 240 doses of suspected heroin and fentanyl, 21 doses of methamphetamine packaged for sale, and approximately $13,000.

A 30-year-old Surrey man was arrested, but has not been named because he has not been yet charged.

About two weeks later, through a subsequent search warrant in a residence two blocks away, police seized 3,600 doses of suspected heroin and fentanyl, 500 doses of meth, and 410 doses of crack cocaine all packaged for street-level sale.

About $3,000 cash was also retrieved.

Lee Roy Braaten of Surrey, 54, was arrested, and has been charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

A third person, 47-year-old Wanta Stopa of Surrey, was arrested in the 10600 block of 135 A Street and charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, and one count of failing to comply with recognizance.

In November, Mounties launched a drug investigation in the 135A Street area, in response to a high number of overdose-related deaths.

“Surrey has had the second highest number of overdose deaths in B.C., second only to Vancouver,” says Surrey RCMP Proactive Enforcement Officer Insp. Shawna Baher. “The 135A Street area and the people that frequent that area have been significantly impacted by the ongoing fentanyl health crisis."