Two men have been charged with a slew of crimes after a year-long undercover investigation into a North Vancouver dial-a-dope ring.
Christopher Lokhorst, 27, is facing 14 counts of drug trafficking and Thieu Hung Tran, 29, has been charged with 11 counts. The men, both from Vancouver, are accused of taking orders for cocaine and heroin over the phone and then delivering it to the community.
The North Vancouver RCMP started investigating the suspects in February last year, when the force got information suggesting they were visiting the North Shore regularly from downtown to make sales here, according to a spokesman.
Over the next 12 months, investigators conducted surveillance, made undercover drug buys and gathered other evidence on the men and other individuals linked to them. Last month, the force moved in to make a bust.
Police arrested Tran Jan. 17, and Lokhorst two days later. On Tuesday, the detachment announced it had detained another individual connected to the case. Investigators have not yet released details about the third suspect, however. They say other arrests might follow.
Cpl. Richard De Jong, a spokesman for the North Vancouver RCMP, said Tran and Lokhorst are believed to be mid-level players in the Lower Mainland drug trade.
Individuals never really operate by themselves, he said. Theyre connected to a group of other criminals who deal in larger volumes. . . . Along the food chain theres money to be made.
De Jong wouldnt say how much heroin or cocaine the men are accused of selling or reveal its street value, but he said all the alleged sales took place in North Vancouver.
I think the numbers speak to the fact that theres an appetite for this here, he said. If theres a need, organized crime will fit that need. Crossing a bridge into North Vancouver, its easy business.
Lokhorst was scheduled to appear in North Vancouver provincial court Tuesday. Tran will appear Wednesday.
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