VicPD, Nanaimo RCMP, and Campbell River RCMP were part of a multi-city initiative by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC (CFSEU-BC) to combat gang activity in the province over the first three months of the year.
In a press release, CFSEU-BC said the campaign has saw the seizure of tens of thousands of dollars in cash, two kilograms of illicit drugs, guns and ammunition, and stolen property throughout BC, including on Vancouver Island.
The multi-week initiative targeted organized crime activity took place in Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Langley, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Campbell River and Prince George, and honed in on those who posed a significant threat to public safety.
“Working with our partners in the Lower Mainland, Island, and North regions, uniform-based gang patrols were deployed to high-risk places at key times in order to disrupt firearm violence and interdict illegal weapons and commodities,” said the CFSEU-BC.
Uniformed gang patrols were deployed in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island to “high-risk places at key times in order to disrupt firearm violence and interdict illegal weapons and commodities.”
The full list of items seized include:
- Approximately 2 kg of illicit drugs (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin etc.)
- Approximately 16 pounds of non-government issued cannabis products
- Five 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 in cash
- Two 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
According to CFSEU-BC, over 260 files were generated across BC, in the cities involved, that resulted in a number of arrests and potential criminal charges in relation to ongoing investigations.
Photos of some of the items seized:
