Approximately $1 million worth of illegal drugs were seized as part of multi-jurisdictional investigation led by the New Westminster Police Department.
The seizure follows a 10-month investigation into drug trafficking by the local police department’s street crime unit. The investigation began in March 2016 with the help of Canada Border Services Agency and RCMP from Surrey, Coquitlam and Chilliwack, according to a press release from New Westminster Police Department.
Charges were recommended following the investigation, and on Jan. 6, Crown counsel charged 41-year-old Ron Israel Markowitz with a laundry list of alleged crimes connected to trafficking, including two counts of using a forged document; two counts of importing/exporting controlled substances; one count of possession for export; four counts of trafficking in a controlled substance; and 10 counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking.
The alleged crimes took place in municipalities across the Lower Mainland, including New Westminster, Coquitlam, Surrey, Langley and Abbotsford, according to online court documents.
An arrest warrant was issued for Markowitz, whose many aliases include Ronald Massey, Richard Paul Nelson, Curtis Coutts, Ronald Marks, Ronald Martin, and Ronald Mann, and he turned himself in on Wednesday, Jan. 11, noted the release.
Officers seized about $60,000 in cash, several hundred pounds of marijuana and an undisclosed quantity of other drugs. Police estimate the street value of all drugs seized to be approximately $1 million.
“These kinds of investigations take a lot of experience and expertise from detectives, and our Street Crime Unit along with our partnering agencies have successfully recommended multiple drug offence charges,” acting Sgt. Jeff Scott said in a press release. “Drug offences negatively impact our communities at many different levels, and we’re very impressed with the exceptional work that was done by our investigative team.”
Markowitz was released from custody with several conditions and is scheduled to return to New Westminster Provincial Court on Feb. 1.
The police press release does not say where Markowitz resides, where the drugs were seized or where he turned himself in, or how the investigation began. The Record contacted New Westminster Police Department for further details but calls were not immediately returned.
