Mounties arrest 16 and seize drugs, cash and a vehicle in Kelowna, B.C.

The latest project yielded 16 arrests and "a multitude" of seizures, Kelowna RCMP said. (Kelowna RCMP)

Police in Kelowna are touting the results of a two-day “special project” targeting drug trafficking in the city’s downtown core.

The Kelowna RCMP Crime Reduction Unit conducted the enforcement on Tuesday and Wednesday, following a similar effort in the city’s Rutland neighbourhood on Monday.

The latest project yielded 16 arrests and “a multitude” of seizures, Kelowna RCMP said in a news release.

Among the items seized were 175 grams of illicit drugs, 25 pills, seven cartons of illegal cigarettes, $2,500 in cash, and a vehicle, police said, adding that one of the people arrested was wanted on a B.C.-wide warrant.

“I’m very pleased with the success of this enforcement operation,” said Sgt. Scott Powrie, in the release.

“We continue to hear the concerns of downtown residents and businesses, and we remain committed in taking meaningful action to address those issues.”

Powrie also referenced the Rutland enforcement effort, which focused on an area near the intersection of Dougall Road and Highway 33 and resulted in seven arrests in a single day.

During that project, investigators seized more than 100 grams of drugs, including fentanyl, crystal methamphetamine, cocaine and psilocybin, along with 19 cartons of contraband cigarettes, brass knuckles and a Taser.

• Read more: Mounties arrest 7 suspects in Kelowna, B.C., drug investigation

With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Todd Coyne