News release

Fort St John RCMP arrest 8 people after executing 7 Search Warrants in drugs investigation

January 26, 2026 - Fort St John, British Columbia
From: Fort St. John RCMP

Content

On Friday, January 23, 2026, the Fort St John RCMP Street Enforcement Team (SET) completed a drug trafficking investigation after executing 7 search warrants: 5 in Fort St John, 1 in Charlie Lake and 1 in Cecil Lake. The Search Warrants were part of an investigation related to drug trafficking and organized crime.  

Police located and seized over 55 firearms, including handguns and several suppressors, and over 2 kilograms of suspected cocaine. The large operation involved support from Fort St. John SET, Serious Crime, Frontline, BCHP, Dawson Creek, Grande Prairie Alberta, Chilcotin Crime Reduction Unit, CFSEU, Police Dog Services and OCABC.

This investigation stemmed from the continued enforcement by the SET targeting those involved in organized crime; made even more urgent after the recent increase in gun violence Fort St John saw in October and November 2025. A total of 8 individuals, all from the region, were arrested across the 7 locations.

“The Street Enforcement Team worked tirelessly to target individuals and obtain evidence that culminated in the Search Warrants being executed,” says Sergeant Ian Rissanen, Plain Clothes Unit Commander Fort St. John RCMP, “The operation took a large quantity of illicit drugs off the street and kept a large amount of illegally possessed firearms out of the hands of the criminals. The Fort St. John RCMP will continue enforcement actions against the drug trade, and organized crime, in order to ensure public safety is upheld in our communities”

The 8 individuals that were arrested were later released from custody pending charge approval at the completion of the investigation to determine all appropriate charges. 

Contacts