A B.C. advocacy group known for handing out free drugs in 2021, faces a legal battle as its founding members has been indicted on charges of drug trafficking.
The Vancouver Police Department revealed it had been closely monitoring the Drug Users Liberation Front’s activities, particularly after the group openly distributed controlled substances such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines.
The move by DULF, intended as a statement for drug policy reform, drew the attention of law enforcement and led to a year-long investigation.
As exclusively reported by True North, former Vancouver City Councillor Jean Swanson joined the group in distributing drugs in front of the Vancouver police’s Downtown Eastside detachment.
The inquiry reached its zenith in October when VPD raided the group’s main office and the homes of its founders, resulting in their arrests.
The organization had previously come under fire for its financial practices, especially concerning the funding of its “compassion club program.”
This initiative involved acquiring and testing drugs for alleged safe consumption by members, raising questions about the legality and transparency of the funding sources.
Charges against Jeremy Kalicum, 28, and Eris Nyx, 33, were confirmed by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, with both facing multiple counts related to drug possession for trafficking purposes.
Their court appearance is set for July. In an interview with True North in July 2021, Nyx denied that the funding for the drugs came from organized crime.
“We are not sourcing money from organized crime,” said Nyx. “We are trying to do this as above-board as possible.”
The charges have ignited protests and outcry from supporters, who argued that the arrests exacerbated the problem of overdoses rather than solving it.
A rally in November last year saw speakers decry the war on drugs and demand systemic reforms.
