RCMP describe it as one of the safest communities in Metro Vancouver, but a recent investigation has uncovered a criminal organization involving 11 people in Coquitlam.
Four of those people represent three generations of a Coquitlam family, as well as a father and son from Langley.
The bust is the result of a 17-month investigation launched by the Coquitlam RCMP and organized crime team into alleged drug trafficking in the community.
The investigation, which eventually became known as “ENightlife,” has resulted in 58 charges against 11 people, the seizure of drugs, guns, luxury cars and cash.
Police said this organization specialized in trafficking fentanyl and relied heavily on family ties.
The reality is that no community is immune to drug-related crime,
said Insp. Bryon Massie with Coquitlam RCMP.
The success of ENightlife is an example of what happens when citizens work with their local police and police agencies work with each other—what happens is we create safer communities together.
Those accused in this organization range from the age of 19 to 69. The alleged leader of the group, 34-year-old Coquitlam resident Andrew Leach, is now facing 20 charges including directing a criminal organization, conspiracy to commit drug trafficking and 14 firearms offences.
Charges against the others include membership in a criminal organization, trafficking in a controlled substance and 25 firearms offences.
These charges and seizures are a major milestone for everyone who has worked on ENightlife and great example of how integrated policing is supposed to work,
said Massie.
Most importantly, this is excellent news for every community that’s been impacted by these individuals and their activities.
If anyone has information about criminal activity in Coquitlam RCMP’s jurisdiction, they can report it through the non-emergency line at 604-945-1550 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or report it online at www.solvecrime.ca.
The other accused in the case are:
Merissa Demosten, 24; Arghavan Ebrahimi, 25; Golareh-Sadat Ehtesham-Far, 25; Morvarid Hashemi, 25; Zach Morgan Ronald Joyce, 25 and Mariah Kemp, 26.