Provincial SITE funding leads to 121 arrests, major drug and weapon seizures in Kelowna

The Kelowna RCMP says provincial funding through British Columbia’s Special Investigations and Targeted Enforcement program has led to 121 arrests, the recommendation of 163 criminal charges and the seizure of firearms, drugs and cash over a seven-month period.

According to a Kelowna RCMP news release, the detachment received funding from the Province of British Columbia and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General to support additional intelligence-led enforcement between June 1, 2025, and Jan. 15, 2026. The initiative focused on violent crime, repeat offenders and organized crime within the City of Kelowna.

Police said officers opened 456 new files during that time, documenting contact with high-risk offenders and launching new investigations. Officers also executed 10 outstanding warrants and issued 63 violation tickets. During one deployment, officers interrupted a break-and-enter in progress and arrested the individuals involved.

RCMP reported seizing four handguns, nine imitation or improvised handguns and one long gun with ammunition, along with a range of other weapons including knives, machetes, a switchblade, a baton and a conducted energy weapon. Two vehicles were seized as suspected proceeds of crime and referred for civil forfeiture proceedings.

Investigators also reported seizing 237 grams of fentanyl, 694 grams of methamphetamine, 311 grams of cocaine, 202 grams of crack cocaine and more than 1.8 kilograms of psilocybin. Police said they also seized 595 prescription pills, more than $55,000 in cash, thousands of cartons of illegal cigarettes and one stolen vehicle.

In January, SITE funding also supported multi-day training in the Okanagan Valley delivered by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit’s Uniform Gang Enforcement Team to RCMP detachments in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country and North Okanagan. Police said the training focused on interdicting weapons and drugs linked to repeat violent offenders.

The RCMP said the funding also led to the launch of a Kelowna Gang Enforcement Team pilot project aimed at targeting gang activity and organized criminal groups.