Five men, including two Vancouver residents, have been charged after police seized over $15 million worth of the hallucinogenic drug ketamine.
Coleen Pinvidic, spokesperson for Canada Border Services Agency, said in a press conference that officers seized over 1000 kilograms of the drug.
"Sometimes known as ‘Special K' -- ketamine is a prohibited substance that can be mixed with ecstasy or used on its own and has been used as a date rape drug," she said.
Pinvidic said that border officials identified a suspicious shipment onboard a container vessel arriving from Hong Kong on Dec. 7.
Officers found over a million doses of ketamine hidden among 318 cartons of coffee mugs in the 20-foot marine container.
Police investigated two Richmond locations on Dec. 11 and arrested five men after they found a pill press, binding agents and other drug laboratory equipment.
Two Vancouver residents, 54-year-old Hoi Sing Lai and 42-year-old Hi Cheung Lau, are in custody and have been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Three Chinese nationals, 53-year-old Tak Ming Chan, 58-year-old Yiu Ming Kwok and 58-year-old Wing Kee Ng, have been charged with importing a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking. The three accused have been remanded until Feb. 11.
The maximum penalty for each charge is life imprisonment.
Police say ketamine can cause symptoms of amnesia, depression and long-term memory and cognitive problems.
