After an almost month-long investigation RCMP have arrested an individual and seized thousands of potentially toxic drug doses.
On Dec. 19, 2023, the Kelowna RCMP Strike Force observed a person in a vehicle believed to be conducting drug trafficking in the area of Highway 33 and Hollywood Road.
This observation is what sparked an investigation that led the strike force to locate the same individual in a different vehicle parked in the 3000 block of Richter Street on Jan. 16.
The person was arrested and Strike Force seized approximately $4,000 in Canadian currency as well as a large quantity of drugs including cocaine, fentanyl, hydro morphine, dilaudid and oxycodone pills.
According to Cpl. Michael Gauthier, the individual was released from custody while a complete report to Crown Counsel is prepared for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada which is responsible for federal charges.
“This individual is not a resident of Kelowna and has our attention now,” said Cpl. Gauthier. “We know the overdose crisis is not unique to the streets of one city, and our drug units will continue to target and investigate those trafficking and adding to the toxic drug supply of our communities.”
On Jan.24, Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said 2,511 people died of unregulated drugs in B.C. in 2023, a record-breaking number in the last 10 years of data.
The BC Coroners Service says there were nearly seven deaths per day, and 2023 increased by five per cent from the previous high of 2,383 deaths in 2022.
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