The Vancouver Police Department has executed multiple search warrants as part of an ongoing investigation into the operations of the Drug User Liberation Front (DULF), a Vancouver-based organization that has publicly admitted to trafficking controlled substances such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines.
In late September this year, BC United called for a full investigation after they claimed that “NDP government has been providing public funds to an organization that purchases illicit heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine for trafficking in Vancouver.” The party shared a document detailing funding of Vancouver Coastal Health to various organizations. The Drug User Liberation Front (DULF) was also part of it.
The group had received $200,000 from Vancouver Coastal Health to assist with overdose prevention and drug checking, according to the document.
Vancouver Sun however later reported that the health authority confirmed that contract is being cancelled on Oct. 31, following a request from Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside.”
“That particular organization has had its contract cancelled. It’s had its lease cancelled by the health authority that provided that funding to them,” Premier David Eby said during an unrelated news conference. “It’s unfortunate because they were providing essential life-saving work. But they were also breaking the law, which we will not tolerate.”
“We understand the magnitude of the ongoing overdose crisis and the impact drug toxicity deaths have in communities throughout the province,” said Inspector Phil Heard, commanding officer of VPD’s Organized Crime Section. “While DULF’s actions were intended to reduce the harms caused by toxic drugs, we have always warned that anyone who violates the Criminal Code or the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act could face enforcement and criminal charges. This group has knowingly operated illegally in the Downtown Eastside and we have now taken action to stop it.”
“The Drug User Liberation Front received funding and research support from the BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU), a government-funded organization, which is currently providing research and policy advice on “safe supply” to the government of British Columbia,” informed MLA Elenore Sturko.
According to a release by BC United, DULF used cryptocurrency to purchase illicit drugs from the dark web marketplace and sells them to British Columbians out of a secret location in Vancouver’s downtown east side.”
The MLA for Abbotsford West Mike De Jong demanded a forensic audit of “every penny” that went to the group and to the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, which has also handed out tested drugs.
Jong said, “Instead of prioritizing treatment and recovery, the NDP government diverted $1.2 million in public funds to DULF and the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU), furthering the NDP’s taxpayer-funded drug crisis. A spokesperson for DULF openly admitted that taxpayer money was used to establish a facility and traffic drugs purchased from the dark web.”
