Lower Mainland gangs fuelling Kelowna’s drug trade, police say

Police recently executed a three-day coordinated project targeting street level illicit drug trade in the Kelowna area.

According to the RCMP, the enforcement blitz yielded “substantial results” and showed that gangs from outside the Okanagan are fuelling the local drug trade.

“Intelligence gathered during this operation made it very clear there are Lower Mainland crime groups conducting their business in our community,” said Sgt. Scott Powrie.

“While we remain committed to targeting and disrupting all criminal activity in our city, we will make it especially uncomfortable for those bringing their unlawful behaviour to our communities.”

Members of the RCMP’s Crime Reduction Unit, Proactive Enforcement Unit, Kelowna Municipal Traffic and Police Dog Services all participated in the project between Feb. 27-Mar. 1.

The RCMP says officers seized “a multitude of items,” which includes:

• Over a combined kilogram of illicit drugs
• Over 100 illegal pills
• Over 12,000 illegal cigarettes
• 4 cell phones
• 14 vehicles towed
• 5 replica firearms
• 1 restricted firearm
• $4,250 cash
• 8 weapons

“Through strategic enforcement initiatives and dedicated policing efforts, we continue to focus on ensuring the safety and security of our community,” Powrie added.

“Public safety is our top priority, and we will persist in taking decisive action against those who seek to disrupt it. Expect more.”

Police noted that officers participating in this blitz also removed two impaired drivers from the road, issued violation tickets under the BC Motor Vehicle Act and arrested a man with out-of-jurisdiction warrants.