Drugs and cash seized, including a false-bottomed propane tank stuffed with bags of drugs, a black tray with crystals and other baggies of various drugs. (Image Credit: Kamloops RCMP)

By James Peters

Drug Trade

Two local women charged in two-year Kamloops RCMP drug probe with ties to Lower Mainland gangs

Nov 4, 2021 | 2:43 PM

KAMLOOPS — Two local women are facing charges after a two-year drug investigation with connections to the Lower Mainland and other areas of the province.

In a news release, Kamloops RCMP say a Targeted Enforcement Unit (TEU) street-level investigation began in June, 2019. The investigation revealed links between the local drug trade and Brothers Keepers, a Lower Mainland street gang.

Spinoff investigations resulted in large cash, drug and weapon seizures elsewhere in the Kamloops area.

As they monitored the activity of Clearwater resident Jennifer Lindsay Manuel, the TEU seized more than $100,000 in cash, kilograms of drugs and several guns and silencers.

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Moons

Dec 10, 2024

Question of the Week

Should Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson apologize or resign after it was found he breached a section of council's code of conduct for allowing false or misleading information to be communicated?

Dec 09, 2024

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Donald has it wrong - again

Dec 08, 2024

Charges have been approved against Manuel, 38, and Alina May Ortloff, 40, of Kamloops. Each is charged with three counts of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking, including fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine.

“The investigators involved in this project personally invested countless hours away from their homes and families, collecting evidence and building a case strong enough to receive charge approval,” said Sgt. Todd Woon of the TEU. “It was their commitment and dedication to the community that saw this case not just make it to this stage in the legal process, but also grow into other investigations, arrests and the seizure of dangerous and illegal drugs and weapons.”

There was more information made public in a Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) news release issued Thursday.