Police officers assisting with wildfire evacuations near Summerland, B.C., seized two and a half kilograms of illicit drugs, including fentanyl and cocaine, along with four firearms and $100,000 in cash, authorities announced Friday. Officers with the specialized Uniform Gang Enforcement Team (UGET) had initially been deployed to Penticton from Aug. 5 to 9 for the community’s Peach Fest event. But the deployment “took an unexpected turn,” the agency said, when a wildfire exploded near Summerland on Aug. 7, threatening homes in surrounding areas. UGET officers joined the emergency response, assisting with tactical evacuations and supporting local police, according to a news release Friday. “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,” said Sgt. Sarbjit K. Sangha in a statement. In addition to the drugs, firearms and cash, officers seized knives, a baton, a conducted energy weapon, a compound bow and a crossbow. Penticton RCMP Supt. Beth McAndie said she was “incredibly proud” of all the officers who helped with the wildfire response. “Without hesitation, UGET officers stepped into action, assisting with tactical evacuations and supporting our teams during the deadly wildfire response,” McAndie said in a statement. “Their bravery, professionalism and dedication to duty during an incredibly challenging and rapidly evolving situation were extraordinary.” UGET’s deployment to Peach Fest marked the second consecutive year the gang enforcement unit had been sent to the free community festival.
