Police have launched a crackdown on a compassion club in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside with a stated goal of providing a safe – but unsanctioned – drug supply amid the city's ongoing overdose crisis.

The Vancouver Police Department announced Thursday that officers have arrested two people after executing search warrants at the Drug User Liberation Front office on Hastings Street, as well as two homes on the city’s east side.

Speaking at a news conference, Insp. Phil Heard of the VPD’s Organized Crime Section acknowledged DULF’s harm-reduction efforts while also stating that the organization has “publicly admitted to trafficking controlled substances, including heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines.”

“We understand the magnitude of the ongoing overdose crisis and the impact drug toxicity deaths have in communities throughout the province, including here in Vancouver,” said Heard.

  • snoonsEnglish
    8·
    8 months ago

    “We understand the magnitude of the ongoing overdose crisis and the impact drug toxicity deaths have in communities throughout the province, including here in Vancouver,” said Heard.

    "While DULF’s actions were intended to reduce the harms caused by toxic illicit drug supply, […] This group was knowingly illegally trafficking in drugs. As a result, we took action to stop it.

    Rather:

    “I understand that this operation is the best solution to this crisis, but I’m just doing my job.™”