EXCLUSIVE: Six men face nearly 50 criminal charges in connection with multi-jurisdictional drug-trafficking bust in 2024 from Chilliwack to Richmond

Search warrants uncovered $500,000 in cash, vehicles, guns, 50 kilograms combined of cocaine, fentanyl, meth

Six Lower Mainland men are facing nearly 50 charges in connection with a multi-jurisdictional drug trafficking ring busted in 2024 that ran from Richmond to Chilliwack, according to court records obtained by Something Worth Reading.

The busts uncovered more than $500,000 in cash, more than eight kilograms of cocaine, 14 kilograms of fentanyl, 27 kilograms of methamphetamine, four handguns, three long guns, drug trafficking gear, and four vehicles totalling $300,000 in value.

Charged as of mid-January on five different files in Surrey and Chilliwack provincial court are: John Graeme McGinty (born 1990), Preston Lahmer (born 1990), Mike Vendouris (born 1984), Ricky Bastiampillai (born 1985), Jacob Fleming (born 2003), and Caiden Phillips (born 2003).

McGinty, Lahmer and Phillips have had no court appearances and are wanted on warrants. Vendouris was released on $1,000 bail in Surrey provincial court on Jan. 16, Fleming on $500 bail in Chilliwack provincial court on Jan. 19, and Bastiampillai $500 bail also in Chilliwack on Jan. 22.

The charges go back to the execution of co-ordinated search warrants on March 27, 2024, led by the Chilliwack RCMP Drug Section with the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team (ERT) and four other police jurisdictions: Vancouver Police Department, and RCMP departments in Langley, Surrey, and Richmond.

The arrests and seizures came after a seven-month long investigation culminating in searches at an apartment in downtown Chilliwack; a residence in the Collingwood neighbourhood of Vancouver; a single residence in the Grandview heights neighbourhood of Surrey; an apartment in the East Clayton neighbourhood of Surrey; a basement suite in the Fraser Heights neighbourhood of Surrey; two residences in the Willowbrook neighbourhood of Langley; and seven vehicles associated to the above locations.

Seven people between the ages of 21 and 40 were originally arrested, according to a news release issued by the Chilliwack RCMP on April 17, 2024. That was the last time the case was made public until a tip led Something Worth Reading to look up the files online.

• John McGinty and Preston Lahmer are jointly charged with 15 drug trafficking and five firearms charges in Surrey provincial court and are currently wanted.
• Caiden Phillips faces two trafficking charges in Chilliwack provincial court from Aug. 17 and Sept. 15, 2023 and is currently wanted.
• Mike Vendouris faces nine trafficking charges from between Dec. 20, 2023 and March 27, 2024 and is next due in Surrey provincial court Feb. 13, 2026.
• Jacob Fleming faces six trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking charges from Nov. 29, 2023 to March 27, 2024 and is next due in Chilliwack provincial court on Feb. 6.
• Ricky Bastiampillai faces 10 trafficking charges and is next due in Chilliwack provincial court on Feb. 26. Bastiampillai was also convicted of personating a police officer using a badge in Richmond from May 18, 2025 and is scheduled for sentencing in that city on Feb. 10.

“The Chilliwack RCMP Drug Section worked tirelessly, using various investigative and covert techniques to disrupt and dismantle a sophisticated drug trafficking network,” according to Supt. Davy Lee in charge of the Chilliwack RCMP in a statement issued after the 2024 arrests. 

“As a result, a substantial quantity of illicit substances have been confiscated. This investigation represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and protect our communities from the devastating impact of drug use. The results of this multi-jurisdictional project are an example of our commitment to disrupting the flow of drugs into our neighbourhoods and to holding those who seek to profit from the suffering of others accountable. We remain dedicated to addressing the root causes of drug trafficking and continue to work hard to keep our communities safe.”

The Director of Civil Forfeiture has approved 15 seizures of property connected to the case at nine addresses in Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, Langley and Chilliwack under section 77 of the Civil Forfeiture Act (CFA).

Exact amounts seized so far include:
• $510,941.15 CAD
• $350 USD
• 400 Euros
• 2016 Toyota 4 Runner 
• 2022 Dodge Ram
• 2023 Ford F350

-30-

Want to support independent journalism?
Consider becoming a paid subscriber or make a one-time donation so I can continue this work.

Paul J. Henderson
pauljhenderson@gmail.com
facebook.com/PaulJHendersonJournalist
instagram.com/wordsarehard_pjh
x.com/PeeJayAitch
wordsarehard-pjh.bsky.social