Drugs, guns and cash seized in northern B.C.: RCMP

Guns, drugs, cash and other items seized from three properties in northern B.C. on Thursday, Oct. 30, are seen in this image handed out by the Burns Lake RCMP.

Mounties in northern B.C. say a “lengthy drug trafficking investigation” culminated in several arrests and the seizure of weapons and illicit drugs this week.

The Burns Lake RCMP, Emergency Response Team, and police dogs raided three properties connected to the investigation on Thursday, the local detachment said in a statement issued Friday.

“Due to the perceived risk to officer safety, the Emergency Response Teams deployed distraction devices during entry into the homes to secure the occupants safely,” the statement reads.

Police said eight people were ultimately arrested “without incident or injury.”

During the search, Mounties say they seized more than three kilograms of suspected illicit drugs, “multiple” firearms, and a “significant quantity” of cash among other weapons, ammunition and supplies consistent with drug trafficking.

“Yesterday, Burns Lake RCMP have successfully removed a significant amount of illicit drugs from circulation in a co-ordinated operation aimed at disrupting the local trafficking networks,” Sgt. Anthony Brooks said, in the statement.

“The operation highlights the continued effort and commitment at protecting our communities, reducing harm to individuals, and reinforcing the efforts against this type of illegal drug activity.”

No charges have been laid in the case and police say the investigation is ongoing.