19 arrested in coordinated RCMP raids on 4 homes in Vernon

Drugs, weapons and stacks of cash were seized from four different properties along the same block in Vernon last week.

All four homes raided by the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP’s Targeted Policing Unit were in the 3000-block of 24 Avenue, according to an RCMP press release. Frontline officers assisted the Targeted Policing Unit in the bust which commenced just after 10 a.m. on Dec. 2.

Officers found and seized quantities of fentanyl, meth and cocaine, along with cash, several edged weapons, a firearm, batons, machetes, bear spray, a bow and arrow, and a baseball bat with large nails sticking out of it. 

Nineteen people were taken into custody. Thirteen of them were released and are expected to appear in court at a later date.

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“The search warrants come as a direct result of our ongoing efforts to target and disrupt drug trafficking and other criminal activity in our community,” Const. Chris Terleski with Vernon RCMP said in the release. “We will continue to take aggressive action in an effort to reduce the supply of deadly illicit drugs being trafficked in our community."

Upon completion of the police investigation, the RCMP said it will share its findings with the B.C. Public Prosecution Service and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada to assess further charges.

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