Rob Gibson
UPDATE 11:35 am
This past July, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia led a month-long initiative in collaboration with the Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon-North Okanagan, and Penticton RCMP Detachments, as well as BC Highway Patrol.
The investigation was designed to curb gang violence, mitigate, disrupt, and suppress violence through proactive and high-visibility enforcement.
An analysis of previous gang-related activity in the Thompson-Okanagan enabled the strategic deployment of the CFSEU-BC’s Uniform Gang Enforcement Team into identified areas during specific times of the day and days of the week. CFSEU-BC’s UGET worked with officers and analysts from the partner agencies to enhance their respective suppression and enforcement efforts.
“CFSEU-BC will continue to cooperate in coordinated policing efforts with local RCMP agencies to keep the Thompson-Okanagan region safe from the threats posed by organized crime and gang violence. We remain committed to a multi-facetted approach including enforcement, disruption, and suppression, along with education to prevent gang involvement, intervention and exit services to help high-risk individuals who want to leave the dead-end gang lifestyle. I encourage you to visit our website at www.cfseu.bc.ca/end-gang-life to see how you can play a positive role in your community, school or family and help us end gang life” says Superintendent Alison Laurin, CFSEU -BC’s Deputy Operations Support Officer.
Throughout the initiative CFSEU-BC’s UGET seized:
- 1.84 kilograms of illicit drugs (eg, cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, benzodiazepines etc.)
- 224 kilograms of non-government issued cannabis and 211 grams of shatter (plus drug lab equipment)
- 3 firearms (plus 6 other types of firearms – eg airsoft etc.)
- An assortment of 47 weapons (eg taser knives machetes hatchet carbon fiber brass
- knuckles, bear spray, metal baton etc.)
- $12,570 cash
The combined estimated street value of the illicit drugs is estimated at approximately $670,000 and the amount of fentanyl seized is equivalent to approximately 29,000 lethal doses.
UPDATE 11:11 am
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia conducted a month-long investigation in the Thompson-Okanagan, including Kamloops, Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton. The intent of the initiative was to mitigate and disrupt violence related to criminal activity.
The sweep netted drugs, firearms and cash with a combined street value of approximately $670,000.
ORIGINAL 10:44 am
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia is holding a joint press conference Wednesday in partnership with Kelowna RCMP.
Police will announce the results of a CFSEU-BC-led initiative this past summer aimed at reducing incidents of gang violence in the Thompson/Okanagan region.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more details become available.