RCMP gang unit seizes drugs, weapons while helping Summerland wildfire evacuees

The RCMP Uniform Gang Enforcement Team was at the Penticton Peach Festival providing proactive enforcement when the Bald Range fire broke out in Summerland and it managed to seize weapons and drugs during all the chaos.

“Without hesitation, (Uniform Gang Enforcement Team) officers stepped into action, assisting with tactical evacuations and supporting our teams during the deadly wildfire response,” Penticton RCMP Supt. Beth McAndie said in the release issued today, Aug. 21.

Officers help with evacuations, including for elderly residents at an independent living facility, but they also continued crime prevention operations in the region.

During the wildfire evacuations, officers seized 2.5 kilograms of drugs including fentanyl and methamphetamine, four firearms, 16 weapons including knives and a crossbow, roughly $10,000 in cash and a vehicle.

“While supporting the wildfire response in Penticton, our officers remained focused on public safety, working alongside our policing partners to remove firearms, weapons and significant quantities of illicit drugs from the community,” Sarbjit K. Sangha, media officer for Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC, said in the release.