The B.C. Ministry of the Attorney General has launched a civil forfeiture action against a property in rural Maple Ridge, claiming it was used for unlawful purposes, and obtained through crime.
Bobby Shah’s 7,200 square foot home on 124th Avenue has six bedrooms and eight bathrooms, and is currently listed for sale at a price of $3.6 million.
Shah, also known as Bahman Djebelibak, is the director of Valerian Labs and Steam Lounge Yaletown
In October 2023, the US government announced sanctions against Shaw and Valerian Labs, as well as 25 other people, for their involvement in international proliferation of illicit drugs.
U.S. authorities alleged the sanctioned parties were affiliated with a China-based syndicate that manufactured and distributed large quantities of drugs and precursor chemicals used in the production of drugs – including fentanyl and methamphetamine.
“The syndicate was the source of supply for various drug traffickers in the US, dark web vendors, virtual currency money launderers, and Mexico-based criminal organizations,” said the claim, which was filed last Monday, Jan. 12, in Supreme Court in Vancouver.
Health Canada revoked Valerian Labs’ precursor registration in October 2023.
In December 2024, the RCMP searched the property at 124th Avenue, and allegedly located almost 18,000 kilograms and 44,000 litres of hazardous chemicals, controlled substances and precursor chemicals which may be used in the production of fentanyl, meth, MDMA, and other drugs. There was no legal authorization for the chemicals to be at the property, according to the claim.
The claim said the 124th Avenue residence is the proceeds of unlawful activity, and has been used to engage in unlawful activity, including possessing, producing, trafficking and illegal importing of controlled substances.
“The 124th Avenue property is likely to be used to facilitate the unlawful activity in the future,” said the claim.
The claim notes Shah has a criminal record, with convictions for “making or using a bank-note,” using counterfeit money, unauthorized use of credit card data, credit card forgery, credit card theft, obstructing a peace officer, possession of property obtained by crime and other offences.
The claim asserts the income lawfully obtained by Shah was insufficient for him to acquire the property, and asked the courts for an unexplained wealth order, requiring Shah to provide particulars of the acquisition and maintenance of the 124th Avenue property. The claim said Shah’s occupation is “unknown to the plaintiff.”
Shah has yet to respond to the claim.
Civil forfeiture laws allow the government to target assets of crime, and they can be seized even without a criminal conviction. The assets can be sold and used to fund crime prevention and compensate victims.