A muti-agency crackdown on violent gangs in cities across the province including Victoria, Nanaimo and Campbell River has resulted in arrests and the seizure of hard drugs, firearms, weapons, cash, vehicles and nearly $100,000 in stolen property.
In the first quarter of 2023, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C. (CFSEU-BC) led a multi-city probe with RCMP detachments including those in Nanaimo and Campbell River as well as municipal police departments including both Vancouver and Victoria departments to “mitigate, disrupt, and suppress violent activity.”
The CFSE-BC with partners on the Lower Mainland, Island, and North regions of the province deployed its own CFSEU uniform gang enforcement team members to high-risk “hot spots” and targeted prominent individuals who pose a threat to public safety due to their gang involvement.
Police seized:
• About 2 kg of illicit drugs (including cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin)
• Approximately 7.2 kg of non-government issued cannabis products
• Five firearms, ammunition, body armour and more
• An assortment of 80 weapons including knives, brass knuckles, Billy clubs, loaded heavy gloves, conducted energy devices, such as Tasers, an axe, extendable baton, and bear spray.
• About $70,000 in cash
• Two vehicles related to ongoing investigations
• Eleven vehicles related to a number of investigations
• Approximately $80,000 worth of recovered stolen property from several cities
More than 260 files were generated, a number of arrests were made, and key gang intelligence “tied to multiple high-level crime groups” was gathered which will likely produce future positive outcomes, according to the enforcement units.
The CFSE-BC says communities can expect to see more agents targeting gang and high-risk suspects who “threaten public safety” throughout the summer.
“This includes, numerous scheduled ride events by Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs (OMC’s) and their associates,” says a news release from the CFSEU-BC. “Members of OMC’s are often connected to street gangs, drug dealing and significant violence.”
B.C. RCMP Supt. Jim Elliott, acting deputy criminal operations officer, said the B.C. RCMP is committed to working closely with CFSEU-BC and other policing partners to combat organized crime in the province, adding this joint operation is a good example of how organized crime activities can be interrupted.
