The West Shore RCMP Drugs and Organized Crime Unit seized guns, drugs and cash and arrested three people on Friday after executing three search warrants on separate properties suspected of drug trafficking.
Investigators conducted covert surveillance and gathered evidence of drug trafficking in various areas in Greater Victoria.
“This was a lengthy and complex investigation requiring many police resources,” said Cpl Ryan Walsh of the Drugs and Organized Crime Unit.
The search warrants were executed on residences located in Sooke, Saanich and Langford and investigators believe these residences were connected in a sophisticated multi-jurisdictional drug trafficking ring.
“Three suspects have been arrested for drug trafficking and firearms-related offences. We seized a significant amount of cocaine packaged and ready to be sold. We also seized numerous firearms as well as three sets of soft and hard body armour along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition and prohibited magazines,” said Cpl. Walsh.
Police seized 25 firearms, including a pistol equipped with a silencer, a fully loaded restricted AR-15 style carbine rifle and a prohibited sawed-off shotgun.
In addition to the firearms, police seized over $9,000 in cash, cocaine and 2 vehicles used to traffic drugs.
Earlier this month, West Shore RCMP reported a 167 per cent increase in vehicle theft amid the pandemic.
Police arrested a 25-year-old female and two males ages 36 and 46. West Shore RCMP Drugs and Organized Crime Unit are continuing their investigation and will be placing charges.
West Shore RCMP has seen a spike in crime since the start of the pandemic.
Rebecca Lawrence
