Date: Jan 16, 2015
File: 2014-56929
Victoria, BC – Great teamwork is being heralded as VicPD officers are recommending drug and weapon charges against six individuals, two of whom are known local gang members.
With VicPD’s Crime Reduction Unit taking the lead, and members from West Shore RCMP, the RCMP Lower Island Emergency Response Team and VicPD’s Strike Force section and Focused Enforcement Team all worked together to locate a known local gang member who was wanted on an warrant for drug trafficking charges. The growing illegal drug business spanned over several municipalities in the Greater Victoria area. During the course of the month long investigation, officers were able to locate the wanted male and discovered a location that was being used to store, process and sell illegal drugs.
On December 31st, 2014 the assembled teams sprang into action taking all the suspects into custody without incident in one quick sweep, with most of the arrests coming at a residence in the 600-block of Brookside Road in WestShore . A vehicle, a green Jeep Grand Cherokee was seized pending a forfeiture process. Officers discovered drugs, both heroin and methamphetamine, and a prohibited weapon as part of the investigation.
Based on the investigation and evidence seized, drugs and weapon charges have been recommended against six suspects including the wanted gang member, all of the others involved are known to police. Police are recommending that all six face two charges each of Possession for the Purposes of Trafficking, as well as charges for Possession of a prohibited weapon.
“I often say we need to leave our shoulder flashes at the door to keep our communities safe,” Chief Constable Frank Elsner said. “This excellent team work and fantastic results show how, by working together, we will overcome efforts by even seasoned criminals to set up shop here.”