Comox Valley RCMP says it is “sending a strong message that violence will not be tolerated” following shooting incidents on consecutive days in Courtenay last week.
Police say the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C.’s (CFSU-BC) Uniform Gang Enforcement Team (UGET) was deployed to the Comox Valley in response to the shootings that took place in the same area of Courtenay June 9 and 10.
READ MORE: Shots fired Monday in same area after similar incident Sunday in Courtenay
A week ago Sunday, Mounties responded to a report of shots fired in the 900-block of Cumberland Road around 2:30 a.m.
On June 10 at 7:48 a.m., Comox Valley RCMP received several 911 calls reporting shots being heard in the 1100-block of 10th Street in Courtenay.
Investigators were seen that day gathering evidence in an alley behind a home on Piercy that locals say is a well-known drug house.
Police say the purpose of UGET is to suppress further violence and officers conducted high visibility enforcement, including on those who pose a risk to public safety because of gang or organized crime involvement.
“UGET represents the overt, tactical and specialized uniform presence of CFSEU-BC which will directly interact with individuals involved in organized criminal activity to help our agency deliver on our mandate,” CFSEU-BC Sergeant Brenda Winpenny said in a written statement.
“Providing UGET support to (the) Comox Valley is a positive for the community and law enforcement.
RCMP says over four days in the Comox Valley, UGET members checked numerous cars and people, adding almost all of them had ties to street-level drug trade.
Officer seized drugs, a machete, knives, three replica firearms, a smoke grenade and a rifle.
Comox Valley Staff Sergeant Glen Breckon said in a release additional officers were noticed by the public and by those involved in criminal activity.
The release did not mention if any arrest has been made related to the shootings and there were no reports of injuries.
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