British Columbia

7 arrested in Surrey dial-a-dope drug ring bust

Seven people have been arrested in relation to drug trafficking dial-a-dope operations in Surrey, B.C. — part of the drug trade which has helped fuel a string of shootings in the city's ongoing gang turf war.

More than 30 recent shootings attributed to Surrey's ongoing drug turf war

Police in Surrey, B.C., execute search warrants on properties near Central City Mall. (RCMP)

Seven people have been arrested in relation to drug trafficking dial-a-dope operations in Surrey, B.C. — part of the drug trade which has helped fuel a string of shootings in the city's ongoing gang turf war. 

Surrey RCMP say five men and two women were arrested, Tuesday, after search warrants on properties near the Central City Mall revealed "evidence consistent with street-level drug trafficking."

Police say the investigation is ongoing, but the warrants were issued in relation to a dial-a-dope ring. 

"The Surrey RCMP continues to make progress targeting those individuals involved in the drug trade," said Surrey RCMP Inspector Shawna Baher in a written statement. 

"By combining these enforcement activities with a number of prevention and intervention strategies, we are working on a multi-tiered approach to deal with the negative effects that the drug trade has on the health and safety of our community."

There have been more than 30 shootings in Surrey in recent months, which police have consistently attributed to a low-level drug war. 

The violence has sparked ongoing concern among residents.

In April, RCMP said they arrested five people and seized 13 firearms in relation to the shootings.