33 arrested during week-long deployment of anti-gang squad in northern B.C., police say

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C. shared this collage of some of the items it seized from May 6 through 11 in Dawson Creek. (CFSEU)

A one-week deployment of B.C.’s anti-gang police unit in a northern B.C. city resulted in 33 arrests and 27 new investigations, authorities announced Thursday.

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C. sent its Uniform Gang Enforcement Team to Dawson Creek from May 6 through 11 to conduct “enforcement on gang-related activities” and “enhance community safety,” according to a news release.

UGET officers worked alongside officers from the Dawson Creek and Fort St. John RCMP detachments during the deployment, seizing “a significant quantity of firearms, weapons, suspected illicit drugs and cash,” the CFSEU said.

Among the weapons seized, according to police, were:

• A loaded 9-mm rifle
• Two loaded 9-mm pistols
• Two other rifles of unspecified type
• One loaded .22-calibre pistol
• Two replica firearms
• Nine knives
• Two batons
• One machete
• One axe
• One bayonet
• Two Tasers
• Assorted ammunition, scopes, rails and magazines

Police also seized 850 grams of crack cocaine, 275 grams of cocaine, 15 grams of crystal methamphetamine, five grams of fentanyl and approximately $12,500 in cash, the CFSEU said.

“This deployment dealt a serious blow to drug traffickers and those associated to gangs who are competing for control in the region,” the unit said in its release.

“We thank our partners in the (RCMP’s) North District for their support and assistance throughout this deployment.”