Following a highly successful four-month pilot project, the Kelowna RCMP officially established the Kelowna Gang Enforcement Team (KGET) as a permanent operational unit on September 15, 2026.

During the pilot project, KGET conducted hundreds of enforcement actions, resulting in the seizure of more than 12 kilograms of suspected illicit drugs and 215 weapons, including 10 firearms.

The four-member team consists of officers with specialized training and experience in organized crime investigations, drug trafficking, and firearms offences. Working closely with the Kelowna RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) and criminal intelligence analysts, KGET employs proactive, intelligence-led policing strategies to identify, target, disrupt, and dismantle organized criminal activity.

Continued Operational Success

KGET's success has continued since becoming a permanent unit. In September 2026, KGET, with support from partner units, seized approximately 1.8 kilograms of suspected illicit drugs, 71 weapons, two firearms, and seven imitation firearms.

KGET's enforcement efforts extend beyond drug and weapons seizures to targeting the profits that fuel organized crime. Through cash seizures and the identification of vehicles and other assets for potential civil forfeiture, KGET aims to disrupt criminal networks and reduce their capacity to operate within the community.

Strengthening Community and Officer Safety

KGET's value extends beyond enforcement statistics and its core mandate. The team regularly assists frontline officers and specialized units with high-risk incidents, search warrants, and other calls for service, providing additional expertise, operational capacity, and enhanced safety for both officers and the public.

"The results achieved during the pilot project clearly demonstrated the value of having a dedicated team focused on organized crime," says Sergeant Scott Powrie of the Kelowna RCMP Crime Reduction Unit.

"Making KGET a permanent unit reflects our ongoing commitment to disrupting organized crime and removing dangerous drugs and weapons from our streets. Equally important is the additional layer of safety and specialized support this team provides to our frontline officers and the community."

The Kelowna RCMP remains committed to proactive, intelligence-led enforcement that targets those responsible for organized criminal activity and helps make Kelowna a safer community for residents and businesses.