A Vernon man is facing 17 handgun charges after a large amount of heroin was discovered at the Vancouver International Airport.
The drugs, originally from Thailand, were intercepted by the Canada Border Services Agency on January 8th, 2015. The RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime unit was called in to investigate and they were quickly led to a Vernon residence belonging to Ronald Charles Learning.
Ronald Learning in an undated photo (Photo Credit: Facebook)
RCMP Sgt. Laurie White with the Federal Criminal Operations says the amount of heroin seized at the airport is “far in excess for personal consumption” but cannot release details as to how much was found.
On January 13th a search warrant was executed at Learning’s residence and investigators found several loaded handguns, over $10,000 in cash and both prescription and non-prescription drugs.
“This matter remains under investigation but the successes so far are the result of efficient collaboration between CBSA, RCMP Federal policing, Vernon RCMP and Kelowna RCMP,” said Inspector Brian Gateley of FSOC. “Public safety is a priority and in this case the rapid coordination of our law enforcement resources was critical in preventing a substantial amount of Heroin from reaching the streets of our local communities. Dangerous and illegal firearms have been seized and the flow of harmful drugs in the area has been disrupted.”
Ecstasy pills seized in the Saskatchewan drug bust (Photo Credit: RCMP Handout/File Photo)
Learning, 31, has an extensive criminal record dating back to 2006 and was part of the largest drug bust in Saskatchewan’s history. In October 2011 Learning along with three other men were charged with possession with the purpose of trafficking cocaine and MDNA in the 2011 bust worth $17.5 million.
“Due to the diligence of our officers at our Air Cargo operations, these narcotics will never make it into our communities, said Vancouver International Airport District Director Sari Hellsten. This interception triggered an investigation which has led to significant charges and we are proud to work with our partners on this case.”
Learning remains in police custody and is now facing 17 charges related to the weapons seized as well as possession of stolen property and breach.
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