Metro Vancouver man arrested for fentanyl trafficking near transit, police say
An alleged fentanyl trafficker is facing drugs and firearms charges after a months-long investigation by Metro Vancouver Transit Police.
Coquitlam resident Matthew Steven Arana, 24, who was already 'well known' to police, was arrested late last month and remains in custody as of Monday, according to the department.
During the investigation, the MVTP says it seized 373 grams of fentanyl, 28 grams of ketamine, 248 grams of cocaine and a .22-calibre firearm—but did not disclose where they were found.
Arana has been charged with 15 total offences, including weapons trafficking, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of s substance for the purpose of trafficking, and trafficking a controlled substance.
Online court records show offence dates in February, March, April and May of this year. Arana's next appearance is scheduled for Wednesday.
'We hope that the outcome of this investigation sends a clear message to anyone who wants to set up a criminal enterprise on or around the transit system that transit police will make it extremely difficult,' said Sgt. Dustin Szakacs, in a news release Monday. 'We work tirelessly to ensure that when we make an arrest, we have an abundance of evidence so that those who threaten the safety of the travelling public are held accountable to the full extent possible.'
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