A search warrant executed in Chase last week led to the seizure of numerous guns, explosives, and firearms manufacturing equipment.

The Kamloops RCMP investigation, involved the Targeted Enforcement Unit (TEU).

On Tuesday April 22, 2025, members of the TEU executed a search warrant at a Third Avenue residence in Chase.

With support from the Southeast District Emergency Response Team and Chase RCMP, police seized multiple firearms, body armor, ammunition, explosives, and a 3D printer with associated accessories, used in the illegal manufacturing of guns. The guns being manufactured and trafficked were untraceable firearms, some 3D printed, others with serial numbers removed, and some using lower receivers from pellet guns.

Kamloops RCMP Superintendent Jeff Pelley says over the past few months, our TEU has undertaken a comprehensive, intelligence-led investigation aimed at severing one of the supply chains of illicit firearms in our community. “It’s important to note that our investigators are still processing exhibits, and this is a sample of what was seized during one particular investigation. Explosive guns, body armor and equipment for illegally manufacturing firearms were seized during a Kamloops investigation which led the targeted enforcement unit to execute a search warrant in Chase last week.”

Supt. Pelley says this ongoing investigation was a deliberate and strategic response intended to impact the localized violence associated to firearms, public shootings, and the local drug conflict. “Approximately one year ago, the community saw the impact of violence in our neighborhoods, in public between criminals involved in this actual drug conflict. Since then, the target Enforcement Unit, with the support of localized and provincial resources, have worked continuously to reinforce our zero tolerance stance on firearm related offenses, the continued pressure of our target Enforcement Unit has put on these individuals in the drug trafficking conflict is a testament to the 24/7 work of all our officers to remove and disrupt illegal activities from spilling into the public realm, where it puts bystanders and the innocent at risk.”

“So far, Kamloops has been extremely fortunate that no one from the public has been injured as a result of this violence,” said Pelley.

During last week’s search warrant execution, chemical irritants were deployed due to the high-risk nature of the operation. Residents in the area were advised of the possible presence of a distinct odour, which may cause minor irritation, but is not harmful. A police presence remained on scene throughout the day and included attendance by the Explosive Disposal Unit.

No one was injured during the search warrant execution. The investigation is ongoing with charge recommendations anticipated. “We have received and continue to seek charge approval for a number of individuals, and expect more results to be announced in the future. The targeted enforcement unit has executed warrants with a focus on criminals who are known to be associated to the drug trade.”

“This included the execution of search warrants at three local residences in December of 2024 yielding significant drug seizures, as well as one of the largest in the detachments history. This initiative was also a Joint Force operation with combined forces Special Enforcement Unit British Columbia.”

Pelley wants to make it clear that the activities of last week, represents another advancement in the local police efforts to safeguard the community while dismantling the infrastructure of organized crime in Kamloops. “Drug trafficking is an inherently violent offense, and firearms are a necessary tool to maintain control. These weapons have been instrumental in fueling the local drug trade and escalating violent conflicts over the past year.”

“The significant disruption to armed criminal networks not only removes our dangerous weapons from circulation, but also degrades their capabilities of those who would use them to harm our community, and we will continue these efforts.”

“We continue to focus on those responsible for drug trafficking in our community,” said Pelley. “And with drug trafficking comes often the possession of firearms to maintain control of that trade. So as a multi phased approach and multiple simultaneous investigations, we continue to focus on those individuals that are responsible. I’m not stating that the individuals in the public information disclosure last year are tied to everyone in these investigations, but as a whole, we continue to advance that and focus on several individuals responsible.”

Anyone with information related to drug trafficking and violence in the community is asked to please contact the Kamloops RCMP Detachment.