Vancouver police respond to criticism following DTES seizure

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Vancouver police are responding to critics after officers were filmed seizing marijuana products on the Downtown Eastside market last Friday.

A group that’s been on the front lines of the opioid crisis criticized their actions noting the products were part of a program called High Hopes, which is intended to provide drug users with a safer alternative to manage addiction and pain.

RELATED: ‘They have better priorities’: advocate criticizes VPD over opioid replacement pot seizure

According to police, the day before the seizure officers saw the cannabis products for sale at a vendor’s table. Officers say they spoke to the executive director of the market who said they were aware of the products but that the vendor had allegedly ignored requests to leave.

“Officers met with a man who identified himself as being responsible for the display. After listening to his explanation that the products were medicine, it was pointed out they were packaged in a manner consistent with trafficking,” read a release from police.

When officers returned to the market the following day, police say the products were on display again, which they say included loose cannabis products, pill capsules, vaping products, and two bottles of an unknown white powder.

RELATED: Overdose Prevention Society launches GoFundMe

Police say the market director told them again that they did not want such products being sold. Officers proceeded to seize the products.

“Select recordings of officers’ actions were shared on social media. Unfortunately, videos such as these show only a small portion of what occurred and none of the previous informal attempts to resolve this issue,” read the release. “This was not a police “raid” as some have mis-characterized it.”

Police wrote that officers took a “very fair and balanced approach” to the situation.

“These were drugs being sold for personal profit, at the end of the day that’s what this was,” said Sgt. Jason Robillard. “There are other avenues that will support harm reduction, and we support those.”

WATCH: Fighting the opioid crisis: Could alley signs save lives?

 

Chief Adam Palmer said in a statement that the force is aware of the consequences of the opioid crisis, noting they support reduction initiatives but that they will continue to enforce trafficking laws.

A day after the seizure took place, executive director of the Vancouver Overdoser Prevention Society Sarah Blyth said police was aware of the High Hopes program and called their actions “disingenuous.”

No charges are being pursued in the case since no one has come forward to claim the seized drugs.

-With files from Hana Mae Nasar and Kurtis Doring