An investigation into three industrial business break-ins in Burnaby led police to a Surrey residence where they found $100,000 worth of contraband cigarettes, a sawed-off shotgun with ammunition and a stolen motorcycle this month.
Between Dec. 25, 2021 and Jan. 3, 2022, three businesses in industrial areas – two in North Burnaby and one in South Burnaby – were broken into, according to the Burnaby RCMP.
Investigators, with help from other Lower Mainland police agencies, were able to link the break-ins and identify two suspects, the detachment said in a news release.
On March 10, 2022, Burnaby RCMP and the Integrated Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant at a Surrey residence, the release said.
Officers seized about $100,000 worth of contraband cigarettes, a sawed-off shotgun with ammo, a motorcycle reported stolen in Delta and 10 suspected stolen dehumidifiers worth $2,000 each.
Three men in the residence were detained but have been released with no charges, police said.
However, the two suspects in the case, both Surrey residents, are currently in custody on unrelated matters.
The investigation is ongoing, according to police.
“We believe the cigarettes were destined for the black market, but it is also very troubling anytime an investigation like this also leads to the discovery of a firearm,” Burnaby RCMP Cpl. Matt Emond said in the release. “These types of files can illustrate how prolific criminals in our community may offend across the entire Lower Mainland.”
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