UPDATE: Multi-million-dollar fentanyl bust at clandestine lab on rural property in Chilliwack
Two arrested, multiple properties raided, unconfirmed report of more than 50 pounds of finished fentanyl pills seized
Two men were arrested and charged after a large fentanyl/MDMA laboratory was busted, multiple properties searched as part of an ongoing and co-ordinated illegal drug trafficking and production operation, according to the Chilliwack RCMP.
A raid at 44843 South Sumas Rd. uncovered more than 50 pounds of finished fentanyl pills worth multiple millions of dollars on the street, according to a reliable source, the volume of drugs seized unconfirmed by RCMP.
Multiple search warrants were executed last Thursday (Oct. 2, 2025) at two residences, two storage lockers, and what RCMP call a clandestine lab located at 44843 South Sumas Rd. as part of an ongoing drug production and trafficking investigation.
A massive police presence was witnessed at the South Sumas Road property on Friday, but the RCMP have not confirmed the location of the other two properties nor the storage lockers. A reliable source reports more than 50 pounds of finished fentanyl pills were uncovered in the operation. That many pills has a varying street value depending on how much fentanyl is in each pill or in what volume it is sold, but could be in the $3.5 million to $4.5 million range.
The investigation began in early 2025, according to an RCMP statement Tuesday (Oct. 7, 2025) morning, with surveillance and investigation focusing on Justin Tyler Fauth, 35, and Carlos Balbino Martinez, 37, as key suspects involved in fentanyl distribution in Chilliwack. On Oct. 2, Fauth and Martinez were arrested after leaving the property, their vehicles seized.
Searches of the South Sumas Road property uncovered a functioning fentanyl/MDMA lab, the above-mentioned fentanyl pills, and significant quantities of precursor chemicals and equipment.
On Friday, charges of production of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking were laid against Fauth and Martinez. Both men were in Abbotsford court on Friday, remanded in custody, were again in court on Monday, and remain in custody until their next court date on Oct. 16. That appearance is scheduled for a bail hearing, but they have a date also set for Oct. 20 to discuss a technical suitability report, which is a way of assessing if the men can be released on bail with electronic monitoring or some other community-based supervision. Neither man have faced any criminal charges in B.C., according to court services online.
The Chilliwack RCMP Crime Reduction Unit was involved in the search warrant execution on Oct. 2 along with the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team (LMD IERT), the RCMP Clandestine Lab Enforcement and Response Team (CLEAR), the Chilliwack Serious Crime Unit, and the General Investigation Section (GIS).
When asked on the weekend about the reason for the large police presence, Chilliwack RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Alexandra Mulvahill said on Monday that more information would be coming soon about the lab at 44843B South Sumas Rd., the "B" suggesting there is a suite or another separate residence of some kind on the property that was the subject of the investigation.
A common delay in releasing information by RCMP detachments in B.C. once it is decided to make a statement is the need to have materials approved and translated by Ottawa, because the Mounties are a federal agency.
“We understand the public’s concern and curiosity regarding the activity at 44843B South Sumas Road,” Sgt. Mulvahill said in a release Tuesday morning after the initial story reported on Monday. “We appreciate the community’s patience as we work to ensure the safety of our officers and the integrity of the investigation. Our priority is to provide accurate and responsible updates as the investigation progresses.”
The investigation remains active and ongoing, the news release stated. Due to the number of locations involved and the complexity of safely processing a clandestine lab, RCMP presence will continue in the area for the "foreseeable future."
"A further media release will be issued once all searches are complete."
Health Canada chemists and members of E Division CLEAR remain on site to safely dismantle and process the lab. The storage lockers have been secured and will also be processed by CLEAR.
"Fentanyl trafficking and its production pose a serious risk to the community however the locations have been secured by police who are processing with specialized resources and the two suspects are currently in custody. There are no road or area closures in effect."
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Paul J. Henderson
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