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Strike Force Bust Yields Over One Kilogram Of Cocaine, Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, Counterfeit Oxycodone & Loaded Firearm

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Date Published: 28 Oct 2020, Last Updated: 15 May 2025

Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2020File: 20-6587Victoria, BC – VicPD Strike Force officers seized over one kilogram of cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, counterfeit oxycodone, and a loaded firearm in an investigation which led to charges against two Victoria men.In early February of 2020, Strike Force officers began an investigation into a “dial-a-dope” drug trafficking operation in Victoria. A “dial-a-dope” drug trafficking operation involves a drug trafficker receiving orders for drugs via phone call or text message.In the course of their investigation, Strike Force officers identified high-level drug and weapons traffickers operating in the Victoria area. Strike Force officers targeted these individuals and throughout February and early March, Strike Force officers seized cocaine, fentanyl, and a loaded 9 mm firearm from multiple suspects. The investigation eventually led to Strike Force officers seizing a kilogram of cocaine and several additional ounces of fentanyl.On March 10th, Strike Force officers, with the assistance of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT), arrested one of the suspects in Victoria. Strike Force and GVERT then executed a search warrant at a suite associated to one of the suspects in a multi-unit residential building the 300-block of Burnside Road East. Officers seized an additional quarter kilogram of cocaine, along with significant quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, counterfeit oxycodone, and approximately $5,000 in cash.The street value of the more than one-and-a-quarter kilograms of cocaine is over $150,000.A video and photographs of the seized drugs and firearm are below: Joshua Stark, a 43-year-old Victoria man, is charged with two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance.Dimitar Vitchev, a 34-year-old Victoria man, is charged with five counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, four counts of possession of a controlled substance, and one count of trafficking a firearm.Strike Force is a focused investigative unit in the Victoria Police Department. Strike Force officers use cutting-edge investigative techniques including clandestine surveillance, undercover operations and confidential information to identify, target and arrest some of the most dangerous offenders in Victoria and Esquimalt. Strike Force officers are focused on getting fentanyl and guns off our streets. Many Strike Force investigations are sparked by tips from people worried about guns and drugs like fentanyl. Strike Force relies on tips from the public. If you have information about drug trafficking or firearms in our community, you can call the Strike Force line directly at (250) 995-7260.

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