Six people have been arrested and charged in connection with a three-year Vancouver Police Department (VPD) investigation that led to the seizure of 200 kilograms of hard drugs valued at $16 million.
The VPD said in a news release Friday that Project Torque began in November 2021, focusing on a kilogram level drug-trafficking operation based in Vancouver, operating both domestically and internationally.
It was in December of 2022 that the VPD announced the investigation’s first phase resulted in the seizure of three firearms and 88 kilograms of illicit drugs. Of the drugs seized, 72 kilograms were fentanyl-laced pills disguised as generic Percocet.
Then, in May 2023, the VPD announced the results of the second operational phase.
Police said the organized crime section executed three search warrants at various locations in downtown Vancouver, seizing 14 kilograms of fentanyl, 12 kilograms of cocaine, 17 kilograms of methamphetamine and 73 kilograms of MDMA.
Investigators also seized four firearms and more than $190,000 in cash.
“In total, since the project began, investigators have seized over 200 kilograms of hard drugs worth an estimated $16 million, seven firearms and $500,000 in cash and jewelry,” police said in the release.
The Public Prosecution Service has approved charges against the following people:
• Omid Mashinchi, 41, is charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of a restricted firearm;
• Victor Chow, 31, faces two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of a restricted firearm
• Omid Pakniyat, 24, faces charges of conspiracy to commit indictable offence and possession for the purpose of trafficking
• Josef Tolja, 30, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a prohibited firearm
• Amir Navarchi, 39, is charged with conspiracy to commit indictable offence
• Jemina Ortega, 28, is charged with conspiracy to commit indictable offence.
Court appearances have already been held for some accused and they have been released.
Others case files have yet to appear in the Court Services Online system.
