A significant drug operation in West Kelowna, believed to have been supplying drug dealers and drug houses in Kelowna, has been shut down by police.
Constable Jesse O'Donaghey says the bust was made at two separate West Kelowna properties last week, following a 2-month long investigation.
“On November 30 the Kelowna RCMP Street Enforcement Unit, with the assistance of RCMP Police Dog Services, the Kelowna RCMP Downtown Enforcement Unit and the West Kelowna RCMP, executed two search warrants at separate properties in West Kelowna, on Smid Road and Old Ferry Warf Road,” he said “Six adult males and one adult female, all believed to be connected to the drug operation, were arrested.”
Police seized about 1.3 kilograms of suspected fentanyl-laced heroin, 2.1 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, and 10 ounces of suspected cocaine.
Un-restricted firearms, over $100,000 dollars in cash, and thousands of dollars in suspected stolen property were also found.
Police believe the seizure represents at least 342,000 individual doses on the street.
“RCMP have gathered intelligence which suggests that a significant amount of the illicit drugs that were being sold on the downtown streets of Kelowna, were being supplied directly by the West Kelowna drug operation,” said Sergeant Alex Lynch, head of the Kelowna RCMP Street Enforcement Unit.
Terry Weninger, 44, Robert Colbon, 59, of West Kelowna, along with Darcy Lenko, 52, of Penticton have been charged with multiple counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. They have appeared in court and remain in custody.
Lance Wuest, 42, of Kelowna has been charged with possession of a controlled substance. He was released by the courts on strict conditions.
Three more people, a 52-year-old West Kelowna man, a 22-year-old Vernon man, and an 18-year-old Kelowna woman were released from police custody and face potential charges.