After red flags were raised regarding an Estevan-bound package at the Vancouver International Airport, Estevan Police Service members arrested and charged a local man under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Just after 1 p.m. Aug. 14, the EPS arrested Bryan Francis Moyles, a 30-year-old Estevan man, after executing a search warrant at a residence on Peterson Drive.
Police seized a quantity of Gamma-Butyrolactone, which is an ingredient used in producing Gamme Hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a drug commonly used in drug-facilitated sexual assaults.
Moyles has been charged with importation of a controlled substance, unlawfully producing a schedule I substance and possession of cannabis marijuana. All charges fall under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Police seized about 2,000 doses of the substance with an estimated street value between $10,000 and $20,000.
Moyles is scheduled to appear in Estevan provincial court on Sept. 8.
The investigation into Moyles was launched when Canada Border Services Agency officers at Vancouver International Airport intercepted a parcel headed for Estevan that was declared as "peppermint oil."
An inspection of the parcel revealed about 8.05 litres of a clear liquid, which tested positive for Gamma-Butyrolactone, at which point local authorities were contacted
The substances found are among the ingredients to produce GHB, which, like Rohypnol, is commonly used to give to an unaware person and is often linked to sexual assaults.
"There was certainly no Rohypnol found. It's just the GHB, but they are the two biggest drugs used for sexual assault," said EPS Chief Paul Ladouceur.
"It's one of the main ingredients used to make the drug. The other items found during the course of the search warrant were the ingredients to complete that recipe. It was basically the point of producing it, that's why he has been charged with production as well. He was (allegedly) making this drug within the residence in the city."
He said the ingredients found are what are needed to synthesize GHB.
"This drug is of particular concern. Although there can be other uses for the drug, it can be used just as a drug with no intent of sexual assault but that's one of its most common uses," said Ladouceur. "We have to be cognizant that even if the person manufacturing it doesn't have that intention when they distribute it, does the person who is receiving it intend to use it in that fashion? It's a controlled substance for a reason, and that's because of the volatility and the linkage it has to sexual assault."
Ladouceur said as the investigation continued, they have reason to believe this isn't the first time these substances were accumulated for drug-concocting purposes.
"When you're talking 2,000 doses - our investigation shows that it's certainly not what we believe to be the first that this has been done. With the concern we've had in the past in relation to the instance within our local bars, we want to take a strong stand against what's coming in and nip it in the bud as much as we can."
Ladouceur said the police don't know if this individual or this kind of drug in particular is connected to complaints filed by women earlier this year that they had foreign substances slipped into their drinks at local bars.
"Whether this is tied or whether there's another source, we'll continue to work on it. The investigation is ongoing at this time," Ladouceur said in an interview on Aug. 15.
"Certainly, when I started here, I made it very clear to the public that we'd be taking a hard approach on drugs in the city and will continue to do so. This is the first but certainly won't be the last of the drug search warrants this police service conducts."
