Firearms investigation leads to charges
An investigation into firearms trafficking last year has resulted in charges, Kelowna RCMP say.
Keenan Ely, 23, is facing charges of possession of a firearm at an unauthorized place, careless storage of a firearm, failure to report a lost or stolen firearm, and multiple counts of firearm trafficking. He has been released from custody on strict conditions to appear at a future court date.
Last May, local police with the RCMP National Weapons Enforcement Support Team raided a house on Theodora Road in Rutland. Their findings led to searches of two more homes and seizures of cash and vehicles.
“This investigation was an excellent collaboration that succeeded in putting a stop to a local group who were allegedly putting guns in the hands of criminals, ”said Cpl. Nick Brodeur of the Kelowna RCMP Special Enforcement Team.
A hunting group is launching a campaign to promote wildlife balance in B.C.
Peachland-based Hunters for BC – SCI (Safari Club International) is promoting its “Without Prey, there are no Predators” campaign to combat what it says is misinformation about B.C.’s wildlife.
The campaign includes opposition to hunting bans as a way to preserve predator populations.
“With the loss of the ability to manage grizzly bear populations throughout BC, we now see environmental non-government organizations extending the call to end large predator hunting in the province,” the hunting group said in an email.
The hunters complain that environmental groups seek donations “all under the guise that these predators are in trouble and need to be saved,” a news release says.
What needs protecting are the prey those large animals survive on, the group says.
“Unfortunately, in our haste to manage to opinion polls and emotions, we have forgot that we need prey, which for many places in B.C. has either already disappeared or is sadly lacking,” said group president Robin Unrau in a news release. “We need to have a better and more consistent conversation about wildlife management in B.C.”