SAANICH, B.C. 芒鈧珺次元官网网址� Police on southern Vancouver Island say they have uncovered a drug lab that they believe was responsible for a sizable amount of the drug trafficking problem in their area.

Saanich Police and Sidney/North Saanich RCMP say they began an investigation in December 2015, looking into allegations of an illicit drug lab operating in North Saanich.

Search warrants were served in May and June last year for homes in Saanich and Shawnigan Lake, about 40 kilometres north of Victoria.

Police say they found over $1.1 million in Canadian cash, a variety of drugs and a laboratory where someone had been brewing anabolic steroids and the date-rape drug GHB.

Two people from Shawnigan Lake each face almost two dozen charges of producing, trafficking and transporting illicit drugs.

Two other Saanich residents also face drug-related charges including trafficking.

Acting Staff Sgt. Wayne Conley with the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP detachment says the investigation is an excellent example of police agencies working well together.

"The seizures of these drugs, and proceeds of crime, has put a sizable dent in the drug trafficking that's occurring in the lower Island area."

The Canadian Press