Joint police operations targeting gang activity in Campbell River and other key cities has led to several arrests, seized weapons and drugs, and recovered $80,000 in stolen property.
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit coordinated an RCMP initiative targeting gangs in Campbell River, Nanaimo, Langley, Burnaby, Coquitlam, and Prince George, sending patrols to high-risk places at key times to disrupt firearm violence and seize illegal weapons and commodities. They also worked with municipal police in Vancouver and Victoria. The operations focused on geographic “hot spots” and prominent individuals who pose a risk to public safety because of gang connections.
The operations seized:
• Approximately 2 kg of illicit drugs (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin etc.)
• Approximately 16 pounds of non-government issued cannabis products
• 5 firearms, assorted ammunition, and body armor (plus 9 other types of firearms – e.g. airsoft rifles, one modified to project arrows)
• An assortment of 80 weapons (e.g., knives, brass knuckles, Billy clubs, loaded heavy gloves, Tasers, axe, extendable baton, bear spray etc.)
• Approximately $70,000 CDN cash
• 2 vehicles related to ongoing investigations
• 11 impounded vehicles in relation to a number of investigations
• Approximately $80,000 worth of recovered stolen property from several cities, including designer watches and a high-end SUV.
Over 260 files were generated across the cities that resulted in a number of arrests and potential criminal charges in relation to ongoing investigations. The initiative also enabled the collection of key gang intelligence tied to multiple high-level crime groups.
Officers from the unit will be visible in Campbell River and other targeted communities during the summer, particularly during scheduled ride events by motorcycle clubs and their associates.
