Dozens of guns were found during the raid.
Image Credit: Vernon North Okanagan RCMP
March 14, 2023 - 3:01 PM
Roughly 200,000 street-level doses of fentanyl along with dozens of weapons, body armour and more than $100,000 in cash were seized in a drug trafficking sting across the Okanagan.
Police say it was by far the largest and most significant drug and gun seizure Vernon RCMP had conducted.
According to a Vernon North Okanagan RCMP media release, police arrested five people and uncovered 30 kilograms of cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, fentanyl and synthetic opioid pills.
Of the drugs found 20 kg were fentanyl, and police estimate this would equate to 200,000 street-level doses.
Police conducted raids shortly before 7 a.m. March 3, at residences on Belaire Drive in Armstrong, Stillwater Court in Lake Country, Majoros Road in West Kelowna, and a storage locker in West Kelowna.
Along with the drugs police seized 27 assault rifles, 18 handguns, and six shotguns, along with evidence of firearm manufacturing and assembly.
Five vehicles were seized along with more than $100,000 in cash, and commercial pill press believed to be used to manufacture synthetic opioid pills along with a commercial mixer for mixing powder drugs.
Police say the raids were the culmination of a two-month-long drug trafficking investigation into a group believed to be supplying fentanyl and other drugs to Vernon and surrounding communities.
"This is by far the largest and most significant drug and gun seizure this team has completed," Vernon RCMP Sgt. David Evans with the Targeted Policing Unit said in the release. "The assistance of Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia demonstrates our shared commitment in battling organized crime and through collaboration, we have the ability to effectively target criminals beyond municipal boundaries."
The five people arrested were later released from custody pending charges. They are all known to police.
Some of the drugs found during the raids.
Image Credit: Vernon North Okanagan RCMP
Cash found during the raids.
Image Credit: Vernon North Okanagan RCMP
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