By Ian Holmes

Red Scorpion gang members busted in Nanaimo drug sting

Jan 23, 2019 | 2:42 PM

NANAIMO — A notorious Lower Mainland gang was tied to a notable drug bust at a high-end north Nanaimo neighbourhood.

Nanaimo RCMP announced Wednesday four men were arrested in Nanaimo as part a 10-month long investigation, which spawned from a police raid last April at a Linyard Rd. home in upscale Linley Valley.

Suspected fentanyl, four firearms and $35,000 was seized at the Linyard Rd. home.

The investigation lead to further busts in Nanaimo, Vancouver and Richmond in December.

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Those searches turned up what’s believed to numerous hard drugs including fentanyl, nearly $100,000, passports and drug paraphernalia.

Nanaimo RCMP Sgt. Rob Christenson said drug trafficking charges are to be examined by Crown Counsel in relation to the men arrested locally.

Chirstenson told NaniamoNewsNOW police traced the arrests to the Red Scorpion gang which police think does not have an extensive presence in Nanaimo.

The suspects were allegedly operating a drug line which involved products sold at the street level in Nanaimo and other communties.

Christenson said the bust would have a temporary impact for the Red Scorpions since these groups have an uncanny ability to recover.

“It would have hit them hard for the short term, but long term I think we’re going to see a continuation of operation. It’s just going to be our responsibility to keep control of things.”

Several arrests involving the Lower Mainland-based gang were made in Nanaimo in the past.

Red Scorpion members are tied to numerous incidents of gang violence, primarily on the Lower Mainland, including the infamous Surrey Six murders nearly 10 years ago.

NanaimoNewsNOW will have future in-depth coverage on Nanaimo’s gang scene and its impact on the city.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes