British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): A sweeping seven-month enforcement drive in Kelowna, British Columbia, has resulted in 121 arrests and the seizure of significant quantities of illegal drugs, firearms and other weapons, authorities confirmed this week.
The operation, carried out by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Kelowna, was supported by funding from the province’s Special Investigations and Targeted Enforcement (SITE) Program. Running from June 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026, the initiative focused on repeat offenders, organised crime groups and neighbourhoods experiencing higher levels of violence and disorder.
Police said the funding allowed officers to conduct intelligence-led patrols and targeted operations aimed at disrupting criminal activity before it escalated. Over the course of the initiative, 456 new case files were generated, with 163 charges recommended, including multiple counts related to breaches of court-imposed conditions.
According to Sgt. Scott Powrie of the Crime Reduction Unit, the additional provincial resources enabled officers to intensify efforts against high-risk individuals and organised networks. He noted that removing weapons and toxic substances from the streets had a measurable impact on public safety in the city.
Authorities reported confiscating a wide range of weapons during the crackdown. These included four handguns, nine imitation or makeshift firearms, a long gun with ammunition, as well as edged weapons such as knives and machetes. Items such as bear spray, a taser, a baton, baseball bats and even a sword were also seized.
Drug seizures were equally substantial. Officers removed hundreds of grams of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and crack cocaine, along with MDMA, LSD and nearly two kilograms of psilocybin. Police also recovered more than two kilograms of cannabis packaged for distribution, hundreds of prescription pills and additional suspected mixed narcotics.
In addition to drugs and weapons, investigators confiscated more than CAD 55,000 in cash, thousands of cartons of illicit cigarettes, illegal vaping products and nicotine pouches. Two vehicles believed to be proceeds of crime have been forwarded for potential civil forfeiture, and a stolen vehicle was recovered during the operation.
Officials said the SITE-funded campaign also highlighted the importance of closer coordination between frontline patrol officers and specialised investigative teams. In response, the Kelowna Gang Enforcement Team (KGET) pilot project has been introduced to intensify focus on gang-related activity and organised crime. The new initiative aims to further disrupt criminal enterprises while strengthening collaboration across policing units.
Law enforcement authorities described the results as a significant step toward curbing repeat offending and improving community safety in Kelowna, adding that targeted enforcement efforts will continue in the months ahead.
