15 Luxury houses raided in coordinated RCMP operation
Authorities suspect that prominent local officials may have accepted payments in exchange for approving construction permits that deviated from zoning laws, raising serious concerns about corruption in urban planning.
In a coordinated early-morning operation that startled one of Vancouver’s most affluent neighborhoods, RCMP officers simultaneously raided 15 luxury homes in the Westmount area on Saturday. The action, which included forensic units and financial crime investigators, is part of an ongoing probe into suspected municipal corruption and high-level real estate fraud.
According to a statement released by the RCMP, the homes are believed to have been purchased or built under irregular permitting processes facilitated by local officials. While no arrests have been made as of yet, authorities say that substantial documentation was seized from several of the properties, including digital records and property development files.
“This operation reflects the scale and severity of what we suspect is a well-organized network of individuals using influence and financial incentives to bypass zoning restrictions,” said Staff Sergeant Valerie Dupont, who heads the federal financial crimes unit. “We are still in the early stages, but the evidence gathered today is significant.”
Residents in the neighborhood reported being awoken by flashing lights and officers in tactical gear. “At first, I thought it was a medical emergency,” said one homeowner who requested anonymity. “But when I saw several houses surrounded by police, I knew something major was happening.”
The investigation, reportedly initiated last year after a whistleblower within the municipal planning department came forward, has been quietly gathering evidence for months. Sources close to the inquiry suggest that bribes may have been exchanged in exchange for permitting luxury builds in zones that would normally prohibit such development.
Municipal spokesperson Lisa Cheng declined to comment on the specifics of the investigation but confirmed that at least three senior planning staff have been placed on administrative leave pending internal reviews. “The City of Vancouver takes these allegations seriously and is cooperating fully with federal authorities,” she said in a prepared statement.
Urban planning experts say the case could have far-reaching implications. “If substantiated, this could erode public trust not just in city hall but in the entire system of checks and balances meant to protect neighborhood integrity,” said Dr. Marcus Lei, a professor of civic policy at UBC.
So far, police have not released the names of any individuals or companies under investigation. However, documents obtained from city records indicate that several of the properties share connections through a single architectural firm and two development holding companies registered in Ontario and the Cayman Islands.
Legal analysts say that if charges are filed, they could range from municipal misconduct and obstruction to full-scale fraud. “The scope of this investigation is unusual for Vancouver,” said attorney Hannah Soong, who has previously worked on white-collar crime cases. “Coordinated raids of this scale imply the RCMP has a strong preliminary case.”
Meanwhile, residents across Westmount are grappling with the shock of the morning’s events. “We’ve always seen this as one of the safest, cleanest parts of the city,” said longtime homeowner Frank D’Souza. “It’s unsettling to realize what may have been happening behind closed doors.”