Significant Charges Sworn in Large-Scale Investigation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Significant Charges Sworn in Large-Scale Investigation

File 2023-4428

What started as a small investigation focused on fuel purchase fraud, quickly grew into a long-term project that has resulted in five individuals facing 47 charges including controlled drugs and substances, firearms, and a civil forfeiture process.

In February 2023, the Delta Police Department’s (DPD) Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) learned of a fuel fraud scheme involving fraudulent cardlock cards being produced and used.  Dozens of fraudulent transactions had been conducted with a value of greater than $25,000.  The investigation identified an organized group was involved in the fraud. 

In April 2023, the CRU executed a search warrant related to the fuel fraud investigation at a property in the 6100 block of 104^th Street, Delta.  As a result of the search warrant, a number of criminal offences were identified including:

• loaded restricted and prohibited guns;
• a fully operational drug lab; and
• an illegal marijuana grow operation.

As a result, $1,000,000 street value drugs were seized along with vehicles associated to organized crime.  At the time of warrant execution, one man was arrested on an outstanding Canada-wide warrant.  Two vehicles have since been subject to civil forfeiture proceedings, while other civil forfeiture processes are still in progress.

The DPD wish to acknowledge the support of the Integrated Emergency Response Team, Integrated K-9, and the Clandestine Lab Enforcement and Response (CLEAR) Team for their assistance in the execution of the warrant.

CRU submitted a report to crown counsel recommending 73 charges against 9 individuals.

On April 22^nd, 2024, the Public Prosecution Service Canada (PPSC) approved charges against 5 individuals, as follows:

1. Robert Johan Simonsen, a 52-year-old man from Surrey, BC has been charged with:
   
   1. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code; and
   2. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code.

2. Richard Stephen Voszler, a 48-year-old man from Delta, BC has been charged with:
   
   1. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   2. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   3. Production of Methamphetamine S.7(1) CDSA;
   4. Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking S.7(1) CDSA;
   5. Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking S.7(1) CDSA;
   6. Possession of Heroin for the Purpose of Trafficking S.7(1) CDSA;
   7. Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking S.7(1) CDSA;
   8. Possession of MDMA for the Purpose of Trafficking S.7(1) CDSA;
   9. Possession of Ketamine for the Purpose of Trafficking S.7(1) CDSA;
   10. Possession of Amphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking S.7(1) CDSA;
   11. Possession of Dimethyltryptamine for the Purpose of Trafficking S.7(1) CDSA;
   12. Possession of GHB for the Purpose of Trafficking S.7(1) CDSA;
   13. Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm S.95(1) Criminal Code;
   14. Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm S.95(1) Criminal Code;
   15. Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm S.95(1) Criminal Code;
   16. Use, ship, or store a prohibited firearm S.86(1) Criminal Code;
   17. Use, ship, or store a prohibited firearm S.86(1) Criminal Code; and
   18. Use, ship, or store a prohibited firearm S.86(1) Criminal Code.
3. Robert Joseph Stephen Lavalee, a 55-year-old man from Surrey, BC has been charged with:
   
   1. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   2. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   3. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   4. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   5. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   6. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   7. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code; and
   8. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code.
4. Robert Sean Rylands, a 42-year-old man from Abbotsford, BC has been charged with:
   
   1. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   2. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   3. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   4. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   5. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   6. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   7. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   8. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   9. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   10. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code; and
   11. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code.

5. Norman Sterner, a 44-year-old man from Delta, BC has been charged with:
   
   1. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   2. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   3. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   4. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   5. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   6. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code;
   7. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code; and
   8. Fraud Under $5000 S.380(1)(b) Criminal Code.

Two of the five individuals charged have been arrested in relation to this investigation, while the remaining three accused are currently wanted on unendorsed warrants.  We ask that the named individuals turn themselves in to the DPD for processing of their warrants.

"When we commence an investigation, we follow the evidence, and we don’t necessarily know where a specific file is going to go.  Our CRU showed commitment and follow-through on a complex investigation, with a complex disclosure package.  I am very proud of the work of our CRU members.  I would also like to acknowledge our Federal Crown partners who approved the charges in a complex and difficult file,” stated Chief Neil Dubord, when asked about this investigation.

For media inquiries, contact:

A/Insp. James Sandberg

Public Affairs Manager

Delta Police Department

[email protected]