Did 90 kilograms of drugs come from largest fentanyl lab in Canadian history? RCMP superintendent hedges, calling it only 'significant'

Police say the massive amount of fentanyl, along with meth and MDMA were destined for local market, and say the case is not connected to Lower Mainland gangs

April 15, 2026

When Justin Fauth asked Judge Kristen Mundstock in provincial court on Tuesday to ensure there was a publication ban in place on his 13 new charges in connection with what was likely the biggest fentanyl lab bust ever in Canada, he surely couldn't have imagined what the Chilliwack RCMP had planned the next day.

Members of the media were invited to the Airport Road detachment for an epic show-and-tell with mountains of bags of powdered fentanyl and stacks of Canadian currency lay across two large folding tables in front of a podium and two TV screens showing off photographs from inside the lab and a shipping container.

There was no ban on publication of this display.

Smiling drug squad officers lined the walls of the large meeting room as the officer in charge of the Upper Fraser Valley detachment, Supt. Darren Pankratz, briefly explained the investigation, the amount and type of drugs and precursors seized, and the names of the two men charged – Justin Fauth and Carlos Martinez – to members of the media, Mayor Ken Popove, Coun. Bud Mercer, and others.

Also assisting with answers was Sgt. Shawn MacNeil from the RCMP's CLEAR (Clandestine Lab Enforcement and Response) team.

In a news release issued at the same time as the media event, police provided a list of exactly what was seized in the execution of the search warrant on Oct. 2, 2025:
• fentanyl, fluorofentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and mixtures containing fentanyl: approximately 39.3 kilograms, equivalent to more than 391,100 doses;
• methylmethcathinone: approximately 43 kilograms;
• methamphetamine and mixtures containing methamphetamine: approximately 2.9 kilograms;
• MDMA: approximately four kilograms and an additional 3,766 pills;
more than 5,000 kilograms of chemicals and precursors used in the production of controlled substances;
• clandestine lab equipment and production materials, including reactor vessels, glassware, evaporators, holding tanks, mixers, and a pill press. 

Also on display were stacks of Canadian currency amounting to approximately $41,000. There were also a few red bills with the number 1,000 on them, which apparently were Dominican Republic pesos. These bills are only worth a little more than $20 each.

More questions, a few answers

After the presentation by Supt. Pankratz and Sgt. MacNeil, Something Worth Reading asked several questions about the investigation and the seizures. 

Here’s what was asked and what was – and what wasn’t – answered.

Was this the biggest fentanyl production lab ever dismantled in B.C.? Even in Canada?
Supt. Pankratz said he could not cofirm that, only stating that it was “certainly a significant seizure for the Upper Fraser Valley detachment.”
However, in October 2024 the RCMP dismantled what was called at the time the largest illicit drug lab ever found in Canada in Falkland, B.C., which was significantly larger in physical size. That bust netted nearly 400 kilograms of meth, but less fentanyl than the Chilliwack lab so an argument could be made to call this one the largest fentanyl lab.

"Is there any connection to the Lower Mainland gang conflict or any international cartels? It couldn't just be these two guys."
“At this point, the investigation is still ongoing and still before the courts. But at this point, we also don't have information to support a direct link to organized crime.”

Want to support independent journalism?
Consider a one-time donation or subscribe for less than $1 a week so I can continue this work.

Donate to support this work

A dollar value estimate of the seized drugs?
This is never an easy question to answer because, as with all products, prices vary depending on amounts purchased, where and when. 
“At this time, to put a street level or a number to this is very difficult,” Sgt. MacNeil said. “We can say that it's kilos and kilos and you can see what's laid out in front of you. It's massive, it's a big seizure for the Fraser Valley.”

Drug destination?
Later in the news conference, Supt. Pankratz was asked where these drugs would have been headed. He said this fentanyl was destined for the local market.
Interestingly, after the first question regarding whether this was the largest fentanyl lab bust in the province, Supt. Pankratz answered something unasked.
“We don’t, at this point, have information to believe that those drugs were destined for anywhere outside of the province.”
Why would he point this out?
Likely to get ahead of further potential rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump who, without presenting any evidence, has repeatedly claimed that “massive” amounts of fentanyl flow into the U.S. from Canada.

Two of Justin Fauth’s new charges indicate an offence location of Lindell Beach, was that a lab or storage or a residence?
Pankratz couldn’t answer this right away. Media spokesperson Cpl. Carmen Kiener later explained the Lindell Beach location is Fauth’s residence.

Meanwhile, Fauth and Martinez were initially charged with one count of each of production of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking. This week, 13 more charges were laid against Fauth for production and 10 against Martinez. 

Both have pleaded not guilty to all charges. Fauth elected to be tried by judge and jury with a preliminary inquiry while Martinez elected judge alone. Because they are co-accused on the same file, Fauth’s election of judge and jury prevails over Martinez’s choice.

Both men remain in custody after unsuccessful attempts to be released on bail. 

Fauth’s lawyer has suggested he may apply for release under section 525 of the Criminal Code, which allows for an accused to ask the court to be released after 90 days of first being brought into custody. This would be sort of like an appeal of his bail rejection in provincial court so would be heard at the BC Supreme Court.

The two are both due in court next on April 21 to fix a next date.

-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