Joint investigation with leads to firearms and drug charges in Victoria

A joint investigation between the Victoria Police Department and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC (CFSEU-BC) has now led to criminal charges against three men.

In June 2020, Victoria Police Department’s "Strike Force" unit identified an organized crime group trafficking fentanyl in Victoria. As the investigation progressed it was determined the crime group had ties to the Lower Mainland. In August 2020, acting on this information, CFSEU-BC’s Anti-Trafficking Task Force (ATTF), and Victoria Police Department’s Strike Force collaborated to begin a joint investigation dubbed "Project Juliet".

Over the course of this investigation a total of nine search warrants were executed, six on residences in four jurisdictions and three on luxury vehicles.

Items seized during the investigation includes;

– 20 firearms

– Large quantities of suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy

– $385,390 Canadian cash

– 3 luxury vehiclesSee original release here.On February 8, 2022, the Public Prosecution Services of Canada approved criminal charges against three men for firearms and drug related offences:

Brian James Balla, a 34-year-old male, originally from Calgary now residing in Victoria, (8 charges approved):

– 5 counts have been approved under Section 5(2) CDSA for Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance

– 3 counts have been approved under Section 5(1) CDSA for Trafficking in a Controlled Substance

Vu Bao Nguyen, a 34-year-old male from Surrey (10 charges approved):

– 7 counts have been approved under Section 5(2) CDSA for Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance

– 3 counts have been approved under Section 5(1) CDSA for Trafficking in a Controlled Substance

Brent William Van Buskirk, a 35-year-old male originally from Vancouver, currently in custody (13 charges approved):

– 8 counts have been approved under Section 95(1) Possess a prohibited firearm without authorization

– 2 counts have been approved under Section 92(1) Possess a non-restricted firearm without a license

– 3 counts have been approved under Section 5(2) CDSA for Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance

At the time of his arrest in relation to this investigation, Van Buskirk was on parole for a 2004 murder conviction. Van Buskirk had his parole revoked due to his arrest and is being held in custody awaiting the judicial process.

Balla was taken into custody February 9, 2022 in Victoria and is awaiting a bail hearing.

Nguyen was taken into custody this morning, February 10th, and will remain remanded pending a hearing.