More than 50 firearms seized in Peace Region busts last weekend

Multiple search warrants were executed on January 23, stretching between Fort St. John, Cecil Lake, Charlie Lake resulting in eight arrests being made and their seizure of more than 50 firearms.

Photo credit: Fort St. John RCMP

Local RCMP were busy conducting search warrants in northern BC on January 23, including five in Fort St. John, one in Charlie and one in Cecil Lake. An investigation regarding local organized crime and drug trafficking resulted in these multiple search warrants, which led police to making large seizures of narcotics, paraphernalia, and more than 50 firearms being taken off our streets. These firearms included handguns, more than two kilograms of suspected cocaine, and several suppressors according to the RCMP.

The operation involved support from Fort St. John SET, Serious Crime and Frontline units, as well as BCHP, Dawson Creek RCMP, Grande Prairie RCMP in Alberta, the Chilcotin Crime Reduction Unit, CFSEU, Police Dog Services, and OCABC.

“The Street Enforcement Team worked tirelessly to target individuals and obtain evidence that culminated in the Search Warrants being executed,” says Sergeant Ian Rissanen, Plain Clothes Unit Commander Fort St. John RCMP, “The operation took a large quantity of illicit drugs off the street and kept a large amount of illegally possessed firearms out of the hands of the criminals. The Fort St. John RCMP will continue enforcement actions against the drug trade, and organized crime, in order to ensure public safety is upheld in our communities”

The investigation followed ongoing SET enforcement targeting organized crime, intensified after an increase in gun-related violence in Fort St. John in October and November 2025.

Eight local individuals were arrested across seven locations in the Peace, who were released the same day pending approval of charges upon the completion of their investigation, said RCMP, which police say will allow them to determine appropriate charges.

This story is developing, updates to comes.

Photo credit: Fort St. John RCMP