Kamloops RCMP say they’ve seized numerous guns, weapons, and drugs as part of a recent, targeted enforcement blitz following an uptick in violence linked to a dispute between two local drug traffickers.

The violence – which escalated from a series of arsons to shootings at the beginning of the month – led to a public warning from police, asking people to avoid two men – 40-year-old Cameron Ronald Cole and 25-year-old Justin Christopher Hunt – who police publicly named as the ring-leaders.

Mounties say since the blitz began on May 5, they seized nine firearms, knives, a hatchet, machete, ammunition, a baton, various amounts of fentanyl, meth, cocaine, and crack, along with approximately $20,000 in cash.

“This last week’s police presence should send a clear message to the drug traffickers in Kamloops who continue to prey on the vulnerable and threaten the sense of safety and security of our residents: there is no place for you here,” Kamloops RCMP Supt. Jeff Pelley said.

“We will not relent in our pursuit of justice and will do everything we can to help keep our community safe.”

In their statement, Kamloops Mounties say they “proactively” reached out to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) Uniform Gang Enforcement Team (UGET) for assistance and resources.

“With the recent crime and violence in Kamloops, our Uniform Gang Enforcement Team was able to deploy quickly to the area to assist our partners in disrupting and suppressing gang-related violence associated to the local drug-trade,” CFSEU-BC’s Deputy Operations Support Officer Supt. Alison Laurin, said in a statement

“CFSEU-BC is committed to assisting our partners around the province in fulfilling our mandate to target those individuals who pose the highest risk to public safety.”

While there was no mention of any arrests, Pelley says Kamloopsians can expect to see an increased police presence, focusing on people who they believe to be associated with the illegal drug trade.

“Since May 5, there have been two UGET deployments in Kamloops so far, along with increased efforts and focus by numerous local detachment supports, including the Crime Reduction and Targeted Enforcement Units,” Pelley added.

“The additional enforcement is intended to address the ongoing effects of a conflict between two drug traffickers, which is believed to have begun in March.”

People with information related to the recent violence, drug conflict, or suspicious activity are being told to contact police as soon as possible.