Seven arrested in major West Kelowna drug bust

A West Kelowna operation the RCMP says was allegedly moving huge quantities of illicit drugs into Kelowna has been shut down.

Seven people have been arrested in connection with the incident, following a two-month investigation into an operation the RCMP says was likely responsible for supplying drug dealers and drug houses primarily in Kelowna.

Police say the bust will likely have a significant impact on the availability of illegal drugs in Kelowna in the near future.

On November 30th several RCMP units searched two separate properties is West Kelowna, one on Smid Road and Old Ferry Warf Road.

Along with the seven arrests, police seized piles of illicit drugs, money and guns.

Among the seizures was 1.32 kilograms of heroin suspected to be laced with fentanyl; 2.1 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine; and 10 ounces of what is likely cocaine.

Police also hauled away $100,000 in cash, some unrestricted firearms and thousands of dollars of what they suspect to be stolen property.

“RCMP have gathered intelligence which suggests that a significant amount of the illicit drugs that were being sold on the downtown streets of Kelowna were being supplied directly by the West Kelowna drug operation” said Sergeant Alex Lynch, head of the Kelowna RCMP Street Enforcement Unit.

Corporal Jesse O’Donaghey, with the Kelowna RCMP, added that he believes the seven arrests will “have a notable effect on the immediate availability of illicit drugs in the Central Okanagan.”

O’Donaghey says the drugs seized could represent at least 342,000 street doses.

Terry Wininger and Robert Colbon of West Kelowna, as well as Darcy Lenko of Penticton have all appeared in court in connection with the operation and have since been taken into custody. They have all been charged with trafficking-related offenses.

Kelowna’s Lance Wust was charged with possession of a controlled substance in connection with the incident, but has been released on strict bail conditions.

A 52-year-old West Kelowna man, a 22-year-old Vernon man and an 18-year-old Kelowna woman also face potential charges, and are expected to appear in court “at a later date.”