Two local residents face nearly 40 charges in relation to a November bust of a downtown drug house on Milton St., where considerable quantities of cocaine, fentanyl and other drugs, along with weapons, were seized. (Image Credit: File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW

substantial bust

Drugs, weapons seized as Nanaimo pair face nearly 40 criminal charges

Feb 23, 2026 | 11:55 AM

NANAIMO — Nearly 40 Criminal Code charges have been laid against two people believed to be at the centre of a local drug trafficking network.

Dylan Richard Tanti, 53, and Charlotte Diane Cargill, 39, were arrested in mid-November as part of a bust of a home in the 200 block of Milton St., where considerable amounts of drugs and illegal weapons were uncovered during a nearly six-hour search.

Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW items discovered in the home were over 30 grams of cocaine, nearly 100 grams of a fentanyl mixture, methadone and morphine.

“We know the impact fentanyl has on the marginalized population, we know the impact fentanyl is having on anybody who is using illicit drugs. To have that quantity of fentanyl taken off the streets is potentially saving dozens if not hundreds of lives.”

Drug trafficking paraphernalia and multiple weapons, including two TASERs, three shotguns, a .22 calibre rifle and a semi-automatic rifle, were also seized.

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A 3D-printed pistol was also located on site.

Tanti was arrested Feb. 14, however, Cargill has not been located by officers since being released after her November arrest.

It’s believed she is in the Nanaimo area.

A total of 20 charges were approved against Tanti, including eight counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, six counts of possession of a firearm without a license and three counts of possession of a prohibited weapon.

He is due in court on Thursday, Feb. 26 and has a criminal record with drug-related charges dating back to 2001.

Cargill was also charged with eight counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and six counts of possession of a firearm without a license, among other infractions.

O’Brien said the multi-hour search of the Milton St. home in November happened within 200 metres of the Nanaimo detachment and Fire Hall No. 1.

“Because of the chance for having weapons and firearms, the Emergency Response Team was used. They were in the house, members searched the house for about five to six hours throughout the day and a good section of Milton St. was actually shut down for public safety while the members were conducting their search.”

In a statement, Nanaimo RCMP Insp. Donovan Tait said street-level drug enforcement is hugely important to local policing operations.

“The volume of dangerous substances and firearms seized in this case represents a significant threat to public safety, especially given the home’s proximity to essential services and vulnerable residents.”

Anyone with details on Cargill’s whereabouts is asked to contact Nanaimo RCMP at 1-250-754-2345.

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