Owner was found supplying chemicals for fentanyl production
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrested the owner of a chemicals company in Ontario for seven violations against the law.
Wister Wei Lap Lee, owner of Genaxx Pharma and Dufore Technologies, was arrested following an RCMP investigation for allegations of diverting chemical products and laboratory equipment to illicit laboratories knowing that these items were to be used to manufacture controlled substances, including fentanyl and methamphetamine.
RCMP officers of the Toronto Serious & Organized Crime Unit based in Milton arrested Lee on Aug. 27 and executed search warrants at his residence and at facilities used by Genaxx Pharma and Dufore Technologies. Four hundred barrels of chemicals and lab equipment were seized by police.
The 38-year-old, from Markham, Ont., was charged with:
- sale of chemical products knowing they will be used to produce fentanyl, a controlled substance, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act,
- possession for the purpose of sale anything that will be used to produce a controlled substance, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act,
- illegal Importation of Class A precursors contrary to the Precursor Control Regulations
- possession of Proceeds of Crime, contrary to the Criminal Code,
- offer to transfer restricted firearms when not authorized, contrary to the Criminal Code,
- attempt to possess a firearm for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to the Criminal Code,
- breach of Prohibition Order, contrary to the Criminal Code.
Also charged was 29-year-old Sean Curtis McDonald, of Toronto, for offering to transfer restricted firearms when not authorized, contrary to the Criminal Code.
“The success of the investigation is due to the diligent efforts of the RCMP officers, analysts, outreach personnel and the efforts of our partners. The diversion of chemicals for the illegal production of fentanyl or other illegal synthetic drugs poses a danger to our society. There is a marked disregard for the wellness of individuals in the profit-driven crime of chemical product diversion,” said Inspector Marwan Zogheib, OIC of the Toronto West RCMP Serious and Organized Crime Unit. “The illegal firearms acquisition by criminals is of particular concern and it increases the propensity for violence. Our communities and our environment face the additional risks due to the illegal dumping of the hazardous waste from clandestine laboratories.”
Recently, Parkland Fuel Corporation was fined $187K for a worker burn injury resulting from a 2018 incident. Also, three firms based in British Columbia were each fined $20,000 following asbestos-related violations.
