Drugs, weapons, cash seized in crackdown on Kelowna street-level dealers

Over three days at the end of February, members of several Kelowna RCMP units cracked down on street level drug dealers in the city.

Members from the Crime Reduction Unit, Proactive Enforcement Unit, Kelowna Municipal Traffic and Police Dog Services targeted the illicit drug trade from Feb. 27 to March 1, according to an RCMP media release.

Officers seized a kilogram of a variety of illicit drugs, more 100 illegal pills, five replica firearms, one restricted firearm, eight weapons, $4,250 in cash, four cell phones, approximately 12,000 illegal cigarettes and five vehicles.

Two impaired drivers were also ticketed caught during the sweep along with a man wanted on warrants.

“Intelligence gathered during this operation made it very clear there are Lower Mainland crime groups conducting their business in our community,” Kelowna RCMP Sgt. Scott Powrie with the Crime Reduction Unit said in the release.

“While we remain committed to targeting and disrupting all criminal activity in our city, we will make it especially uncomfortable for those bringing their unlawful behaviour to our communities.

“Through strategic enforcement initiatives and dedicated policing efforts, we continue to focus on ensuring the safety and security of our community. Public safety is our top priority, and we will persist in taking decisive action against those who seek to disrupt it. Expect more.”