Raid not linked to gang war

Police say there is no evidence to suggest a raid Wednesday that resulted in multiple arrests at a home in Upper Sahali is connected to an ongoing conflict between drug dealers.

“There is no evidence to suggest it is linked at this point,” RCMP Cpl. Crystal Evelyn told Castanet Kamloops via email.

But Mounties are keeping tight-lipped on all other details of the investigation.

Just before 2 p.m. on Wednesday, police closed a portion of Highway 5A between Hugh Allan Drive and Aberdeen Drive while they and the southeast district emergency response team responded to a home on Carmel Court. The road was reopened about an hour later, after three people known to police had been arrested.

Neighbours told CFJC Today the house police attended, 564 Carmel Ct., is often visited by Mounties and the city’s community service officers.

Evelyn told Castanet police were following up “to a prior investigation” on Wednesday.

“As part of the previous investigation, which involved violence and weapons, a residence of interest was identified, which brought police to Carmel Court,” Evelyn said.

Evelyn said she couldn't provide any information about the incident that brought police to the house, citing the integrity of the investigation. She also refused to provide the police file number for the case, which is not the usual practice.

Anyone with information that may be related to this investigation is asked to contact the Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000.

Police warned the public in May of an ongoing drug trade conflict playing out on Kamloops streets, at the centre of which are rivals 40-year-old Cameron Cole and rival 25-year-old Justin Hunt.