Nanaimo RCMP Concludes Major Crackdown: 139 Arrests, Massive Drug and Weapon Seizures in Fight Against Organized Crime

Nanaimo, BC – March 12, 2026 – The Nanaimo RCMP has concluded a five-month targeted enforcement initiative that significantly disrupted violent offenders, drug traffickers, and individuals with alleged links to organized crime.

Operation Details and Funding

In September 2025, the Nanaimo RCMP detachment secured provincial Safer Communities – Community Safety and Intervention Teams (SITE) funding to support proactive enforcement against violent offenders and those allegedly involved in drug-related intimidation and debt collection.

A major enforcement blitz occurred November 14–16, 2025, when the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC’s (CFSEU-BC) Uniformed Gang Enforcement Team (UGET) partnered with the SITE Team to target street-level drug traffickers connected to the BC Gang Conflict. That operation resulted in the seizure of:

174 g methamphetamine, 70 g fentanyl, 201 g cocaine
125 oxycodone tablets, 143 benzodiazepine tablets
Numerous weapons, including knives, tasers, a machete, bear spray, a pellet gun, and brass knuckles
$3,050 cash and a 2022 Cadillac CTS, seized as suspected proceeds of crime linked to individuals associated with the Brothers Keepers

Full Operation Seizures Over Five Months

Over the full five months, SITE collaborated with UGET, ERT, Police Dog Services, Projects, the Intelligence Unit, and front-line officers. Their combined efforts led to extensive seizures, including:

Drugs

387 g methamphetamine
313 g fentanyl
369 g cocaine
140 oxycodone tablets
155 benzodiazepine tablets

Weapons and Related Items

3 firearms
Body armor
13 knives
3 tasers
5 metal batons
4 brass knuckles
2 pellet guns
1 machete
5 bear sprays
1 loaded marine flare gun
6 replica handguns

Arrests and Charges

In total:

139 individuals were arrested
55 warrants were executed
51 individuals were charged (pending Crown approval)
84 total charges were forwarded
23 violation tickets were issued
51 reports to Crown Counsel have been submitted

One of the most significant actions occurred February 28, 2026, when officers executed a search warrant at a Doumont Road residence. Seized were:

17.03 g of suspected crystal methamphetamine
28.14 g of suspected fentanyl
18.73 g of suspected cocaine
80 ml of suspected GHB
3 firearms and body armor
Trafficking materials
$33,235 in cash

The 48-year-old resident was released unconditionally pending charge approval.

Official Statements

“This project delivered a clear and measurable improvement in public safety. SITE funding allowed us to strategically target individuals driving violence and drug trafficking. Our community is safer today because of the dedicated work of the SITE Team, front-line officers, and partner units.”— Superintendent Eric Rochette, Officer in Charge of the Nanaimo RCMP

“CFSEU-BC’s Uniformed Gang Enforcement Team was proud to provide operational support to our policing partners during this operation. Collaborative enforcement efforts allow agencies to leverage specialized resources and intelligence to disrupt organized crime and improve community safety.”— Assistant Commissioner Manny Mann, Chief Officer of CFSEU-BC

Context and Ongoing Commitment

The Nanaimo RCMP remains committed to intelligence-led policing, targeted enforcement, and continued collaboration to reduce violence and organized criminal activity. The operation aligns with broader provincial efforts through the SITE program to combat repeat violent offenders and organized crime.

Anyone with information about violent crime or drug trafficking is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.

Source: Original RCMP news release (rcmp.ca/en/bc/nanaimo/news/2026/03/4351154), March 12, 2026. Additional context from provincial SITE program reports and local media coverage.

Contact: Reserve Constable Gary O’Brien, Media Relations Officer, Nanaimo RCMP – gary.obrien@rcmp-grc.gc.ca | 250-734-5445