Police in Vancouver say they have made a major drug bust with international connections.
They raided a million-dollar home in Vancouver one week ago, where they found Yong Long Ye. Police now alleged that he's a 40-year-old Canadian citizen who is the head of an international organized crime ring based out of Greater Vancouver.
"We've chopped the head off the snake. We've gone right to the top of this one," said Insp. Dean Robinson of the Vancouver Police Department.
Police allege the group produced and distributed almost every illicit drug on the market, including heroine, ecstacy, meth, cocaine, and marijuana.
Authorities claim the drugs and tens of millions of dollars in cash were moved around the globe through several highly sophisticated systems.
About 100 people were arrested in connection with the international operation.
Police alleged that in one instance, one of the suspects used his connections in the trucking industry to have cocaine shipped from L.A. to Toronto.
Couriers would then allegedly send the profits west to B.C. The money would go into the production of marijuana and meth. The meth would then be shipped to Australia where it was sold for three times the price it would go for in Canada.
Police claim that another suspect they have in custody, Minh Tan Le, allegedly specialized in shipping the meth. He was arrested after a raid on an East Vancouver home last Thursday.
Le allegedly lined cardboard boxes with drugs then sent them to his father in Australia, who police say is also facing charges.
None of the charges against any of the suspects have yet to be proven in court.
Canadian authorities say that their investigation received help from police forces around the world, including those in Australia, New Zealand, India, Taiwan, Japan, and China.
Police also note that busting the alleged criminal network not only gets illicit drugs off the street, but it also makes Lower Mainland's streets safer.
"There is a direct link between the violence we see on the streets and the narcotics trade and organized crime," said Vancouver Police Supt. John Robin.
During their busts on nine properties in the past days and weeks, police seized vehicles, drugs, cash, and lots of weapons.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Rob Brown
