Kamloops drug fight leads to Surrey

May 31, 2016 | 7:59 AM

KAMLOOPS — While police insist gang problems aren’t rampant in Kamloops, there’s definitely a problem with one gang that’s helping fuel the drug trade in our city. 

RCMP have released results of an ongoing investigation that has led to the arrest of a 27-year old man at a residence in Surrey on the Lower Mainland. Police recently executed a number of search warrants here and in Surrey, and have arrested Michael Alexander  Ross, who has been charged with three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and one count of possession of a firearm when prohibited. 

RCMP Corporal Jodi Shelkie says through the coordinated efforts of the Kamloops RCMP Target Enforcement Unit and the Crime Reduction Unit, police learned that there’s a group called the “Wolfpack” operating in the Lower Mainland who have established a faction in Kamloops. Shelkie says they’re bringing drugs, firearms and violence with them. There have been several reports of violence in Kamloops recently, apparently associated with the drug trade. 

Through the investigations in Kamloops, police linked a Surrey man to illicit drugs and a cache of weapons. On Saturday, police obtained a search warrant for the Surrey residence. Inside the house, they found several hundred manufactured pills, including Oxycodone, and what appears to be fentanyl, some cocaine and close to 7 pounds of marijuana. A long rifle, and about $25,000 in cash were also grabbed. 

Shelkie says the RCMP are continuing to investigate the Wolfpack and other groups who may try to establish a presence in the city.