Gang unit's two weeks in Fort St. John turns up guns, drugs and cash

A provincial gang unit called into Fort St. John last month had a busy two weeks in the city, with officers making multiple arrests and seizing seven firearms, suspected drugs, around $16,000 in cash and several other weapons before wrapping up Sept. 5.

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Photos courtesy of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC).

The Uniform Gang Enforcement Team, or UGET, was brought into the community at the request of Fort St. John RCMP from Aug. 21 to Sept. 5, following several weeks of increased violence and firearm-related incidents around the city.

Local RCMP provided intelligence to the specialized unit, helping officers identify and investigate people believed to be involved in that increased violence, while giving UGET a place to start once its members arrived in Fort St. John.

Over the next two weeks, officers opened several investigations and made multiple arrests while targeting people associated with gang activity, violence and the illicit drug trade, according to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia.

Police haven't said exactly how many people were arrested, or identified any of those arrested in Friday's release, but did provide a look at what was taken off the street during the deployment.

That included what police described as a large amount of suspected cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl, along with seven firearms made up of handguns, rifles and a shotgun, and approximately $16,000 in Canadian currency.

Brass knuckles, ammunition, a knife, BB gun and bear spray were among the other weapons and related items seized over the two weeks.

The work also gave police more information on people believed to be involved in the ongoing gang conflict and illicit drug trade in Fort St. John, something CFSEU-BC says will now help with ongoing investigations and future enforcement.

“Working collaboratively with our policing partners is critical to disrupting gang activity and addressing the violence associated with the illicit drug trade,” said Sgt. Sarbjit K. Sangha of CFSEU-BC.

“By combining the local knowledge and intelligence of the Fort St. John RCMP with CFSEU-BC’s specialized enforcement resources, we are better positioned to target those individuals who pose the greatest risk to public safety.”

While the UGET deployment itself ended Sept. 5, Sangha said the work between the agencies isn't ending there.

“We will continue to work with our policing partners to support enforcement and intelligence efforts aimed at keeping communities across British Columbia safe.”

CFSEU-BC is B.C.'s integrated anti-gang police agency, working to investigate, disrupt and suppress criminal organizations while providing specialized support to police agencies around the province.

Friday's release did not say whether charges have been approved as a result of the arrests or investigations.