Surrey RCMP announce 8 more drug arrests in guns-and-gangs crackdown
Arrests involve dial-a-dope operations in Surrey, Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam and North Van
The Surrey RCMP have announced eight more arrests connected to the guns and gang violence that has plagued the city, bringing the total number of arrests in the last three weeks to 18.
"We are committed to tackling this crime and the resulting violence through disruption of the drug organizations," said Assistant RCMP Commissioner Bill Fordy.
The most recent arrests involve dial-a-dope operations in Surrey, Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam and North Vancouver. Police say search warrants also netted a quantity of illicit drugs and firearms. No names have been released.
Although none of the charges are specific to the 40 shootings that have taken place in Surrey so far this year, police believe there are connections .They say the violence is a result of an ongoing drug turf war.
Last month the province announced a $23-million funding boost to the B.C. guns and gangs strategy in an effort to get control of the escalating violence.
With files from Jesse Johnston