Four days, multiple arrests as police target drugs and violence in Fort St. John

Fort St. John RCMP had some extra help in and around the city late last month, with a four-day police operation ending in multiple arrests and the seizure of suspected drugs, cash and several weapons.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Photos from the CFSEU-BC mdia release

From Oct. 22 to 25, officers with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia’s North District Uniform Gang Enforcement Team worked alongside local RCMP.

Police say the deployment came in response to increased violence in the community.

Over the four days, officers shared intelligence and identified where they wanted to focus their enforcement efforts, targeting individuals police say were involved in drug trafficking, weapons offences and other criminal activity posing a risk to public safety.

Multiple people were arrested in connection with drug trafficking, weapons offences and outstanding warrants.

Police also seized approximately 210 grams of suspected illicit drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine, along with approximately $14,000 in Canadian currency.

The weapons seized included a machete, knives, mace and an axe.

“The results of this deployment represent a significant effort by officers to address criminal activity that negatively impacts our community,” said Staff Sgt. Scott Watson, acting detachment commander of the Fort St. John RCMP.

“Removing illicit drugs, weapons and criminal proceeds from our streets helps reduce the harm associated with drug trafficking and violence. We remain committed to working with our policing partners to ensure Fort St. John remains a safe place to live, work and raise a family.”

CFSEU-BC says operations like this bring local knowledge together with intelligence sharing and specialized enforcement resources, particularly when dealing with drug trafficking and the violence that can come with it in smaller northern communities.

“Drug trafficking and the violence associated with it have a significant impact on communities, particularly in northern B.C.,” said Sgt. Sarbjit K. Sangha, media relations officer for CFSEU-BC.

“By working closely with Fort St. John RCMP, sharing intelligence and coordinating our enforcement efforts, we can target criminal activity that threatens community safety. This deployment demonstrates the importance of strong policing partnerships and our shared commitment to keeping communities safe.”

CFSEU-BC’s North District Uniform Gang Enforcement Team works with policing partners across northern B.C. to target gang activity, disrupt drug trafficking and address violence through intelligence-led enforcement.

The Nov. 9 release did not give a specific number of people arrested or identify those taken into custody.

Photos courtesy of CFSEU-BC.