Seven arrested, drugs and guns seized in Fort St. John

The Street Enforcement Team (SET) of the Fort St. John RCMP recently conducted a search warrant at a residence in the North Peace, resulting in several suspects being arrested briefly.

Photo from the RCMP media release

According to the RCMP, they conducted a search warrant at a residence on the 9400 block of 105 Avenue on May 21 in Fort St. John, which they claim is part of their ongoing efforts to target illicit drug trafficking while suppressing gang-related activity.

Investigators located and seized approximately a kilogram of cocaine, three loaded handguns, 300 grams of fentanyl as well as undisclosed amounts of methamphetamine, MDMA, and LSD. During the search the RCMP also located around $8000 cash and equipment which can be used for the processing of drugs, and the repackaging for distribution at street level.

“This enforcement action highlights SET’s continued focus on disrupting the trafficking of drugs and the presence of firearms in our community,” said Sergeant Ian Rissanen, Unit Commander of the Fort St. John RCMP Plain Clothes Units. “SET continues to have sustained suppression of drug trafficking throughout the city where we continue to rely on the vigilance of community members, and we encourage the public to report suspicious activity so we can take action against those contributing to drug-related harm in our city.”

All seven suspects were released back into the North Peace community while the RCMP conduct their investigation, which may raise eyebrows for some readers. While police described the seizure as a significant enforcement action involving drugs, loaded firearms, and cash, news of those arrested later being released has already left some in the community with questions about how these cases move through the system and what that means for public safety.