UPDATE 11:35 AM Last July, British Columbia’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit led a month-long initiative in partnership with the Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon-North Okanagan and Penticton RCMP detachments, as well as the 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 past gang-related activity in the Thompson-Okanagan allowed for the strategic deployment of CFSEU-BC’s Unified Gang Enforcement Team to designated areas during specific times of the day and days of the week. CFSEU-BC’s UGET worked with officers and analysts from partner agencies to enhance their respective enforcement and enforcement efforts. “CFSEU-BC will continue to work 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-pronged approach that includes enforcement, disruption and suppression, along with gang prevention education and intervention and exit services to help high-risk individuals who want to leave the gang lifestyle behind. 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 the lives of gangs,” says Superintendent Alison Laurin, CFSEU - BC Deputy Support Officer. Throughout the initiative, CFSEU-BC’s UGET seized:
1.84 kg of illegal drugs (eg cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, benzodiazepines, etc.) 224kg of non-government cannabis and 211g of shatter (plus drug lab equipment) 3 firearms (plus 6 other types of firearms – eg airsoft etc.) A variety of 47 weapons (eg tasers, knives, machetes, axe, carbon fiber brass knuckles, bear spray, metal cane, etc.) $12,570 cash
The combined estimated value of the illegal 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 British Columbia’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit conducted a month-long investigation in the Thompson-Okanagan, including Kamloops, Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton. The purpose of the initiative was to mitigate and prevent violence related to criminal activity. The sweep netted drugs, firearms and cash with a total value of approximately $670,000. ORIGINAL 10:44 am British Columbia’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit is holding a joint press conference Wednesday in partnership with Kelowna RCMP. Police will announce the results of a CFSEU-BC initiative last 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.
