File photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

2025 RCMP REVIEW

Kamloops gang activity calmed in 2025: top cop

Jan 9, 2026 | 2:57 PM

KAMLOOPS — Halfway through 2024, Kamloops RCMP issued a public safety warning regarding two men involved in gang activities. The rare move from the Mounties came after a rash of shootings, where thankfully no bystanders were injured. 2025 saw the gang issues in Kamloops calm and fall into the background thanks to a number of successful charge applications to the Crown and a pair of lengthy investigations.

The Kamloops public was warned about Cameron Cole and Justin Hunt back in 2024, following an increase of shootings, arsons and targeted criminal acts.

“We had project E-Pandering and it’s proceeding to trial in 2026, this year. That resulted in charges against Cameron Cole and Shane Cameron who where charged with drug trafficking and a series of firearm offenses,” stated Kamloops RCMP Supt. Jeff Pelley.

That was not the only major project undertaken by the detachment last year that is expected to bear fruit in 2026.

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“Project E-Paralysis… involved a total of 45 drug trafficking and firearm charges that were approved against five individuals in this community and is advancing through the court process right now. Those impacts have been serving us quite well with regards to the ongoing conflict,” added Pelley.

Throughout the year, the Kamloops RCMP executed a number of search warrants that resulted in the seizure of drugs, guns and cash.

“We have been putting a considerable amount into proactive, intelligence-based policing,” said Pelley. “We have had some success which involved the execution of a search warrant resulting in the seizure of a number of firearms, ammunition, suppressors and firearm-manufacturing equipment. We are just in the final stages of recommending charges on one of those investigations.”

The Kamloops RCMP continue to assess the public information disclosure into the two men, noting that Hunt is serving time, while Cole is currently on trial.