Anti-gang police seize weapons, drugs in northern sting
B.C.’s anti-gang police and Prince George Mounties seized a loaded semi-automatic rifle, a cross bow, brass knuckles and drugs packaged for sale during traffic stops targeting the street level drug trade in the northern B.C. city last week.
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Team’s uniformed gang officers travelled to Prince George to assist local law enforcement over four days, CFSEU Sgt. Brenda Winpenny said in a news release.
During the stepped-up enforcement, the uniformed gang enforcement team and RCMP stopped 125 vehicles and checked 165 people.
Most of them were connected to the street-level drug trade, Winpenny said.
“Of concern to overall public safety was the seizure of a loaded SKS rifle with ammunition located inside a vehicle, along with other items associated with criminal activity,” she said.
“Also, while conducting targeted enforcement, members … witnessed a stabbing.”
She said the officers “immediately intervened to stop the assault, called for medical assistance for the victim, and apprehended the suspect.”
Also seized during the stops were various knives, pepper spray, handcuffs, brass knuckles, an imitation handgun and a BB gun that resembled a real firearm, she said.
Small amounts of cocaine, crystal meth and fentanyl were also found. Winpenny said the uniformed team “will directly interact with individuals involved in organized criminal activity to help our agency deliver on our mandate.”
The specialized teams have also travelled from their Lower Mainland base to other parts of B.C. — including Kelowna and Kamloops — when there is an increase in gang activity.