Vernon RCMP disrupt 'potentially dangerous' drug trafficking operation

January 07, 2015 - 2:39 PM Info_Tel Multimedia  Charlotte Helston
VERNON - Mounties have busted a Vernon drug ring with ties to the Lower Mainland. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says two men, Andres Naranjo, 21, and Daniel Penton, 21, both of the Lower Mainland but residing in Vernon, were arrested. Naranjo is facing charges of trafficking cocaine and possession of cocaine and heroin for the purpose of trafficking, while Penton faces a number of firearms related offenses. The investigation was born during a previous undercover drug investigation. At that time, in late November of 2014, police conducted a four-day operation targeting Vernon drug traffickers. A total of 25 street level drug purchases of cocaine and methamphetamine were observed, resulting in 21 people charged with drug trafficking. “During the undercover operation investigators identified a drug trafficking group with ties to the Lower Mainland," Molendyk says. "Drug purchases were made from at least five persons believed to be connected to this group." The Vernon detachment joined forces with a Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit team out of the Lower Mainland to investigate members of the group for drug trafficking and firearms offences. As the investigation progressed, the South East District Emergency Response Team was brought in to execute search warrants at two units of a four-plex in the 3500 block of 24 Avenue in Vernon Dec. 19. The search resulted in the seizure of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, prescription pills, cash, drug trafficking paraphernalia, a zap cane and other weapons. The special enforcement unit also executed a search warrant at a local hotel and seized a loaded .25 calibre handgun, cash and other weapons. “The combined efforts of Vernon Detachment, Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit and the Emergency Response Team, has resulted in a very successful investigation of a potentially dangerous drug trafficking group,” Sgt. David Evans says. Evans says operations like this "significantly disrupt drug trafficking groups and in many instances result in lengthy jail terms for repeat offenders".