If you’d been noticing a heavier police presence downtown and the southern parts of Kamloops over the last week or so, the Mounties have an explanation.

RCMP have confirmed a series of busts have taken place over the course of the last week or so, with the Crime Reduction Unit expanding their uniform presence on the streets, targeting those who have been under previous surveillance by the Mounties.

“The focused efforts of our Crime Reduction Unit helped directly remove firearms and drugs from our streets this weekend, and continue to target criminals who prey on those in our community,” said Superintendent Jeff Pelley, Kamloops RCMP Detachment’s Officer in Charge, as part of a release.

This includes a pair of busts coming nearly back-to-back downtown late last Thursday and overnight on Friday as part of traffic stops.

“On March 28, 2025, around 2 a.m., officers stopped a vehicle on Seymour Street,” said the Mounties in a release.  “As part of the investigation, a man was found to be in possession of a handgun located inside a suspender strap. Ammunition, cash, and drugs were also seized.”

RCMP say the suspect was arrested, but later released with conditions and a court date.

They say that was the second significant bust they made that night.

“Just hours before, on March 27, a traffic stop was conducted with a vehicle known to be associated to a local drug trafficker,” continued the Mounties. “Officers found a prohibited driver behind the wheel.   Suspected fentanyl, meth, and cocaine was also located and seized for destruction.”

Subsequently on the following Saturday, the Mounties were able to make a separate bust as part of another traffic stop at a location on Hillside Way, which is what the road is called that connects the 5A and Hillside Drive.

“A second firearm was removed from the community on Saturday March 29, 2025, around 10 p.m. Officers patrolling the area of Hillside Way conducted a traffic stop involving a vehicle previously observed at a residence associated to drug activity,” said the RCMP.  “Two people were arrested for drug possession and a modified long-gun was located. They were released without process as part of the ongoing investigation.”

It’s part of a broader sweep that the RCMP has been taking part in over the last several months as the local Mounties, along with the broader BC RCMP, crack down on the turf war that began escalating into increasing violence around a year ago.