A two-week joint enforcement operation in Fort St. John has resulted in the seizure of firearms, drugs, cash and other weapons as police work to address an increase in violence in the community.
The operation, conducted between Aug. 21 and Sept. 5, involved the Fort St. John RCMP and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia’s (CFSEU-BC) Uniform Gang Enforcement Team (UGET).
According to police, UGET officers were deployed to assist local RCMP investigators after authorities observed a rise in violence in Fort St. John. Investigators provided information on individuals believed to be connected to the increase in violent activity.
During the two-week initiative, officers focused on people allegedly linked to gang activity, violence and the illicit drug trade.
The enforcement efforts led to multiple arrests and the seizure of firearms, drugs, cash and a variety of other weapons.
Items seized included:
- Seven firearms, including handguns, rifles and a shotgun
- $16,000 in cash
- Additional weapons and related items, including brass knuckles, ammunition, a knife, a BB gun and bear spray
Police say officers also gathered intelligence on individuals involved in the ongoing gang conflict and drug trade in the region. The information is expected to support future investigations by the Fort St. John RCMP.
“Working collaboratively with our policing partners is critical to disrupting gang activity and addressing the violence associated with the illicit drug trade,” said Sgt. Sarbjit K. Sangha of CFSEU-BC.
“By combining the local knowledge and intelligence of the Fort St. John RCMP with CFSEU-BC’s specialized enforcement resources, we are better positioned to target those individuals who pose the greatest risk to public safety. We will continue to work with our policing partners to support enforcement and intelligence efforts aimed at keeping communities across British Columbia safe.”
Police have not released details about the drugs seized or the identities of those arrested. Investigations remain ongoing.
-with files by Raynee Novak
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