Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Accused facing 41 B.C. drug trafficking and identity theft charges

Drug trafficking allegations against Jose Walter Vasquez Portillo relate to cocaine, methamphetamine, CHB, ketamine, MDMA, benzodiazepine and fentanyl.
Vancouver Provincial Court
Jose Walter Vasquez Portillo has appeared before 18 judges since his first appearance in October 2020, court documents show.

A B.C. man facing 41 drugs, weapons, fraud and other charges is due back in Vancouver provincial court Jan. 25.

According to court documents, Jose Walter Vasquez Portillo, 40, faces:

  • 14 counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking;
  • four counts of dealing with identity document without lawful excuse;
  • nine counts of unauthorized use of credit card data;
  • three counts of possessing a forged document with intent to commit offence;
  • two counts of driving while prohibited or while licence suspended;
  • three counts of possession of stolen property;
  • two counts of possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose; 
  • one count each of false pretences under $5,000, causing a person to use a forged document, wilfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer and identity theft.

Some of the drug charges relate to an April 2020 incident, documents said.

The drug charges relate to multiple counts involving cocaine, methamphetamine, CHB, ketamine, MDMA and fentanyl.

Others relate to alleged October 2020 incidents in Surrey involving benzodiazepine, methamphetamine, MDMA, ketamine and hydromorphone (a semi-synthetic  opioid).

Other Surrey counts include: allegations of possession of identity documents of four other men; having credit card data of nine other people; possessing cheques that belong to two people and a company; and having forged B.C. and Manitoba driver’s licences, and a certificate of Canadian citizenship.

Charges also arise from Jan. 7 Vernon incidents where Vasquez is alleged to have obtained two Apple iPhone Pro Max cellphones from a Rogers store, allegedly causing another man to use an allegedly forged B.C. driver’s licence and obstructing a police officer.

Court documents show Vasquez has had multiple lawyers and appeared before 18 judges since his first appearance in October 2020.

Vasquez was released on bail April 6, 2021 but has appeared on court in-custody lists in recent weeks.

jhainsworth@glaciermedia.ca

twitter.com/jhainswo