Kelowna RCMP Gang Enforcement Team becomes permanent

The RCMP’s four-person Kelowna Gang Enforcement Team (KGET) has become a permanent fixture.

That’s after what they call a highly successful four-month pilot project over the summer in which more than 12 kilograms of suspected illicit drugs and 215 weapons, including 10 firearms were seized. The unit became permanent on September 15.

Mounties say the Gang Enforcement Team works closely with the Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) and criminal intelligence analysts, to employ proactive, intelligence-led policing strategies to identify, target, disrupt, and dismantle organized criminal activity.

Police said the KGET’s success has continued since becoming a permanent unit. In September, with support from partner units, seized approximately 1.8 kilograms of suspected illicit drugs, 71 weapons, two firearms, and seven imitation firearms.

“The results achieved during the pilot project clearly demonstrated the value of having a dedicated team focused on organized crime,” said Sergeant Scott Powrie of the Kelowna RCMP Crime Reduction Unit.