A public inquiry into money laundering has heard that British Columbia appears to have more high-level organized crime groups than other provinces. The director general of Criminal Intelligence Service Canada says that among at least 1,850 organized crime groups known to operate in Canada, the agency has assessed 680. RCMP Chief Supt. Rob Gilchrist says one quarter of the assessed groups are known to be involved in money laundering, although the agency believes that figure to be low. British Columbia's port access and proximity to Mexico make it a natural gateway for illicit drugs into oth

A Burnaby man faces several charges after a girl alleges he befriended her online and then sexually assaulted her. Burnaby RCMP say the girl made the allegation early last month. The BC Prosecution Service has now approved five charges ranging from sexual assault with a weapon to sexual interference, luring and two weapons offences. The unnamed man remains in custody awaiting a future court date.

One man is recovering from a gunshot wound in Surrey after what police believe was an early morning dispute between several people who know each other. Surrey RCMP say officers were called to a disturbance in a home in the Whalley neighbourhood at about 8:30 a.m., and found two men, one with a non-life-threatening bullet wound, trying to leave the area. The victim was hospitalized and police have since determined a third man left before they arrived, but where he went, what caused the dispute and where, or when, the injured man was shot are all unknown. Police say they don't believe there's a

BC is reporting 29 new cases of COVID-19 over the past three days and no new deaths. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says that's a positive note as the province slowly lifts more COVID-19 restrictions. The province now has a total of 2,659 cases with 16 people still in hospital, including four in intensive care. Dr. Henry says many people will be making summer travel plans but she is reminding them to keep contacts small and stay home if they are ill in order not to spread COVID-19 when they hit the road.

Anyone using a British Columbia ferry on routes longer than 30 minutes will have to bring a face mask with them to protect against transmission of COVID-19. Starting June 15, BC Ferries says all passengers over the age of two will be asked to confirm they have a face covering and are willing to wear it if necessary. It says in a news release that customers must come with their own face covering and those who don't have one won't be able to board. The company says it will also continue screening customers for COVID-19 symptoms. BC Ferries says it is acting on directives from Transport Cana

Authorities continue to search for a missing plane and its two occupants in Maple Ridge, B.C., after someone reported seeing it fly over the Fraser River, go into the water and then disappear on Saturday. Ridge Meadows RCMP say in a statement they received the report from one witness after 1 p.m. Saturday in the area of 287th Street and Lougheed highway. Ridge Meadows RCMP, the Vancouver Police Department's marine unit, RCMP air services and other authorities searched the area for the possible downed airplane or debris Saturday, but did not find anything. The RCMP say they received a report fr

Health officials are reporting just one new case of COVID-19 in British Columbia, the lowest figure since early March. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry say in a joint statement that there are 193 active cases of the disease and 2,272 people who tested positive have recovered. One more person has died, bringing the province's death toll to 167. There are 21 people in hospital, five of whom are in intensive care. Dix and Henry say the outbreak at the Berkley Care Centre has been declared over, meaning there are now five long-term care or assisted-living

Criminal and civil contempt of court charges have been dropped against those who were arrested in February for violating an injunction while fighting the construction of a natural gas pipeline in northern B.C.The arrests of 22 members of the Wet'suwet'en Nation and their supporters sparked protests across the country, shutting down rail and roads and putting a dent in the Canadian economy.The BC Prosecution Service says in a statement issued Friday that criminal contempt charges for those arrested near Houston, B.C., will not be pursued.The Crown says there have been no further breaches of the

Homicide investigators have taken over the case after a man's body was found in Surrey, B.C. RCMP say the victim was found Thursday night in the Bridgeview neighbourhood of north Surrey as the Mountie's mental health outreach team did foot patrols in the area. The unnamed man was dead when he was found. Police say the cause of death and how he was injured are considered suspicious. Members of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team and Surrey RCMP continue to gather evidence. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.