
RCMP mug shot of 41-year old Cameron Cole/via RCMP
Kamloops Mounties have put an arrest warrant out for one of two men police say are leaders in a local gang turf war.
“Cameron Ronald Ross Cole, age 40, of Kamloops, is charged with one count each of possession of a loaded restricted firearm and possession of a firearm while prohibited,” said the RCMP in a release. “An unendorsed warrant was issued for his arrest yesterday, Aug. 1, in relation to an investigation that began in May.”
“The Kamloops RCMP Detachment is requesting that anyone who sees Cameron Cole, or has information on his whereabouts, please contact police as soon as possible,” said Corporal Crystal Evelyn, Kamloops RCMP Detachment spokesperson.
Cole is one of two men publicly identified by Kamloops RCMP as leaders of rival drug dealing operations which have been at war with one another for several months.
The other gang leader has been identified as 25 year old Justin Hunt.
Kamloops RCMP say they expect the violence to continue as the two men – who have lengthy criminal records – maintain a presence in the community.
“The Kamloops RCMP Detachment’s Targeted Enforcement Unit, in partnership with other detachment and provincial resources, have increased recent efforts to help deter and suppress ongoing organized crime activities,” said RCMP Superintendent Jeff Pelley in May when the two were publicly identified.
Cole narrowly escaped being shot outside the Sandbar Restaurant in early July, after gunmen opened fire, prompting the vehicle he was in to plunge into the Thompson River.