Because of deadly chemicals found on scene, police had to call in a team of specially trained officers and Health Canada laboratory analysts during a large fentanyl bust at a Prenter Street townhouse in 2016. Photograph By CORNELIA NAYLOR
A five-year sentence has been recommended for a 28-year-old Delta man in connection with a large fentanyl bust at a quiet Burnaby townhouse complex in 2016.
Adam Summers and co-accused Scott Pipping were pulled over and arrested on Canada Way near Kensington Avenue on March 17, 2016, according to court documents.
With their arrest, police simultaneously executed search warrants on three properties associated with the men: a condo in Richmond, a house in Surrey and a townhouse at 6893 Prenter St. in Burnaby.
It was the culmination of a complex dial-a-dope investigation that had been launched by Delta police two years earlier.
Police at the time called it the biggest fentanyl bust in B.C. history.
At the Burnaby townhouse, investigators uncovered a large fentanyl processing lab along with 125 grams of the deadly drug.
Other items seized from the three residences included, nine firearms (and two silencers/suppressors), $1.5 million in cash, about 4.5 kg of heroin, an estimated 12 kg of cocaine, more than 4,500 oxycodone pills and 1 kg of methamphetamine, police said at the time.
Summers and Pipping were charged with an array of drug and firearms offences.
The pair were convicted this month, with Summers found guilty on 11 counts of drug trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking; and Pipping found guilty on 10 counts of drug trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, producing a controlled substance and firearm offences.
At a sentencing hearing Monday, defence lawyer Mani Sandhu and Crown prosecutor Michael LeDressay both recommended a jail sentence of five years for Summers, along with a 10-year firearm ban.
Pipping’s sentencing hearing was adjourned until June 29 to allow time for the prosecution to review an enhanced credit application presented by the defence and for the lawyers to review a restitution agreement for the landlord of the Prenter Street townhouse where the drug operation was discovered.
In 2016, police estimated it would cost more than $100,000 to clean up the Burnaby residence.
LeDressay told the court the drug operation was high-level, profitable and dealt with large amounts of fentanyl.
“Given the dangers inherent in fentanyl trafficking and that these were the two largest trafficking incidents in which Mr. Summers participated, it is the Crown’s position that five years would be appropriate,” said LeDressay.
Among the mitigating factors outlined by Sandhu were the fact Summers does not have an extensive criminal record and that he has support from his family.
“Mr. Summers has spent a significant amount of time in custody and has had time to reflect on his role and insight into his actions,” Sandhu said. “I would suggest that a five-year sentence minus the time credited is appropriate.”
Justice Gurmail Gill will deliver his sentence on June 29.
That hearing will also see the beginning of sentencing submissions for Pipping.
Summers and Pipping have been in custody since March 2016.
With files from Ian Jacques, Delta Optimist.
