Chandigarh, Updated At : 10:43 AM Mar 04, 2026 IST
A seven-month targeted enforcement initiative funded by British Columbia’s Special Investigations and Targeted Enforcement (SITE) Program resulted in 121 arrests, large seizures of drugs and weapons, and other gains against repeat offenders and organised crime in Kelowna.
From June 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026, the Kelowna Royal Canadian Mounted Police used provincial funding to support extra intelligence-led enforcement shifts aimed at high-risk offenders and areas with elevated violence and social disorder. The effort opened 456 new police files and led to 163 charges being recommended, including breaches of court conditions.
Sgt. Scott Powrie of the Crime Reduction Unit said: “The SITE funding provided by the Province of British Columbia has had a direct and measurable impact on public safety in Kelowna. This investment allowed us to proactively target repeat violent offenders and organised crime groups, remove dangerous weapons and toxic drugs from our community, and disrupt criminal networks before further harm could occur.”
Seized weapons included:
– 4 handguns
– 9 imitation or improvised handguns
– 1 long gun with ammunition
– 12 cans of bear deterrent spray
– 1 switchblade, 1 taser, 1 hatchet, 1 baton
– 24 knives, 2 machetes, 3 baseball bats, and 1 sword
Illicit substances removed included:
– 237 g fentanyl
– 694 g methamphetamine
– 311 g cocaine
– 202 g crack cocaine
– 35 g MDMA
– 13 g LSD
– >1.8 kg psilocybin
– >2.3 kg packaged cannabis for sale
– 618 g suspected mixed illicit drugs
– 595 prescription pills
Other seizures and recoveries:
– $55,528 in Canadian currency
– 7,470 cartons of illegal cigarettes
– 180 illegal vape devices
– 450 nicotine pouches
– 2 vehicles suspected as proceeds of crime (forwarded for civil forfeiture)
– 1 industrial shipping container
– 1 recovered stolen vehicle
The RCMP noted the SITE initiative highlighted the need for improved coordination between frontline patrols and investigative units. In response, the Kelowna Gang Enforcement Team (KGET) pilot project has been launched to focus on gang activity and organised crime, continuing efforts to remove firearms, drugs, criminal proceeds, and violent offenders while enhancing inter-unit collaboration.
