Provincial gang enforcement team seizes cash, weapons and drugs in Kamloops

KAMLOOPS — As Kamloops RCMP officers deal with a spike in recent drug-related violence, they have also had support from the province’s Uniformed Gang Enforcement Team to help suppress, disrupt and mitigate any further violence.

Over nine days, 144 vehicles were stopped and 173 people were checked resulting in the seizure of a variety of illicit drugs, according to a Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia media release.

“[Uniformed Gang Enforcement team] seized a variety of substances believed to be methamphetamine, crack cocaine and fentanyl,” spokesperson Sgt. Brenda Winpenny says in the release.

Additionally, more than $48,000 worth of cash believed to be associated to the drug trade was also seized. Over 19 weapons were also taken off the streets and included a replica .357 magnum pellet gun, several knives, brass knuckles and bear spray.

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia works closely with police agencies across the province to dismantle organized criminal groups and their associates who pose the highest risk to public safety.

The provincial anti-gang unit was also in the Tournament Capital last month and it seized $40,000 in cash believed to be connected to organized crime and several weapons.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Karen Edwards or call (250) 819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.