Kelowna RCMP help disrupt interprovincial trafficking operation

After over a year of investigation, police in Kelowna have disrupted a multi-province drug trafficking operation.

On Aug. 31, officers arrested a suspect leaving a known stash location in West Kelowna, according to an RCMP media release issued today, Sept. 8.

In the aftermath of the arrest, search warrants were issued for locations in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Merritt, Calgary, Burnaby and Chilliwack where officers to seized three handguns, one replica firearm, as well as over five kilograms of illicit substances including fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, synthetic cannabinoid receptor type 1 agonist and 11 kilograms of cannabis.

These new developments are part of an investigation which started in June 2022, which led to the discovery of this suspect and their involvement in drug trade across multiple provinces and criminal activities in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Alberta and most likely Ontario, RCMP said.

The suspect had been observed travelling between Vancouver, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg and Toronto and conducting suspicious cash transactions with individuals who were previously convicted of illegal drugs and firearms activities.

The suspect paid for private property in Vernon, as well as in Calgary and Edmonton, using money obtained by illegal drug and firearm trafficking. On top of these properties, four vehicles, a travel trailer, a luxury boat, a cryptocurrency account and numerous bank accounts are believed to be financed by the suspect’s illegal activity and have been referred to BC and Alberta Civil Forfeiture.

“This was a great example of an interprovincial investigation conducted by the Kelowna Strike force unit with the support of our partner agencies in BC and Alberta,” Kelowna RCMP Insp. Beth McAndie said in the release.

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