Undercover cops bust traffickers

Undercover Penticton and Oliver RCMP narcotics units arrested seven suspects after joining forces last month to target street level drug crimes.

The undercover operation, dubbed EPOACH took place over five days in November and is part of an initiative to keep drugs out of communities.

"Further arrests are anitcipated in the future as a result of the investigation," says Penticton drug task force Corp. Brad Myhre. "The arrest of these alleged drug traffickers disrupts networks that distrubutes harmful drugs in our communities."

Those arrested include:

• Dwayne Lee Gabriel, 25, of Penticton on two charges of trafficking a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking.
• Amanda Loretta Hansen, 32 of Penticton on three charges of trafficking and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetaminef) for the purpose of trafficking.
• Armando (Adam) DaRosa Pereira, 49 of Penticton on one count of trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine).
• Alicia Angel Foster, 29 of Penticton on one count of trafficking in a controlled substance (marijuana).
• Donald William Merritt, age 50 of Okanagan Falls on one count of trafficking in a controlled substance and one count possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).
• Gregory James Andrew, 41, of Okanagan Falls on one count of trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine).
• Delmar Lawrence Scott, 69, of Oliver faces three charges of trafficking and possession of a contolled substance (cocaine).

Police say all of the accused have been charged and released without bail with the exception of Merritt who was remanded into custody. Several of the accused have prior convictions for trafficking.

Tips can be called into 250-492-4300, or to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.