Three men are facing drug trafficking charges in relation to a large-scale bust in Whistler earlier this year.
The men, two Canadian citizens and one Australian national, made their first appearance in court on Dec. 11, according to a release from the Whistler RCMP.
"In the spring of 2023, the Sea to Sky RCMP—Whistler initiated a proactive project named E-NEWPORT, targeting drug trafficking within the Resort Municipality of Whistler," the release said.
"In March 2024, Whistler RCMP alongside the Sea to Sky RCMP General Investigations Section (GIS), Squamish RCMP, Pemberton RCMP, Integrated Emergency Response Team (IERT), and the Integrated Police Dog Services (IPDS) executed three simultaneous search warrants on Whistler residences and subsequently police arrested four men."
Evan Stott, 29, is charged with four counts of trafficking a controlled substance; Edric Horne, 29, is charged with one count of possessing a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking; and Gavin Butler, 31, is charged with three counts of trafficking a controlled substance, one count of possessing a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, and one count of possessing a controlled substance for the purpose of exporting from Canada, according to the release.
None of the charges have been proven in court.
“I want to acknowledge the extensive work from the team in Whistler and the BCRCMP including the Whistler frontline members, Community Response Team and the Sea to Sky General Investigations Section,” said Staff Sgt. Sascha Banks in the release. “The dedication by the investigators to the community of Whistler, its residents and visitors was paramount in this lengthy investigation. Their professionalism and skill set shows in the charge approval by the Public Prosecution Service on Mr. Stott, Mr. Horne, and Mr. Butler. We will now transition to working with our stakeholders, partners, and community members on the emphasis of how we can ensure this type of organized crime is identifiable, continues to be investigated, and is unwelcome in Whistler.”
The March 8 arrest drew considerable attention, as police executed a large-scale bust at multiple properties in Whistler, seizing 2.5 kgs of cocaine, about $10,000, and an unspecified amount of MDMA in the process.
Photos shared with Pique showed police in tactical gear with long guns and dogs in a residential yard, and chatter on social media indicated large police presences, complete with SWAT equipment and long guns, in the Marketplace area and at one of the entrances to Emerald.
Anyone with any information, concerns, or questions is asked to contact the Whistler RCMP detachment at 604-932-3044 or connect with a police officer in person at 4315 Blackcomb Way.
