BURSTThe North District Uniform Gang Enforcement Team (ND UGET) is ready to disrupt gang activity and support law enforcement in communities across northern B.C. including the Cariboo and the Chilcotin.
On Thursday, Oct. 15, the new team was officially launched at the BC RCMP North District headquarters in Prince George.
The North District represents 72 per cent of the province and serves more than 35 communities, including Williams Lake, 100 Mile House, Quesnel, Wells, Alexis Creek, Anahim Lake, Bella Coola, Prince Rupert, Terrace, Smithers, Burns Lake, Vanderhoof, Fort St. James and Kitimat.
Acting Officer in Charge of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) Supt. Ryan Element called it an important expansion, enhancing presence in northern B.C.
“For several years our Lower Mainland unit has deployed to northern communities to support local policing in response to organized crime, gang activity and violence,” Element said.
Between 2020 and summer 2026, Element noted 39 of those deployments were to northern B.C.
The newly dedicated team, according to a December 2025 media release announcing its launch, builds on the proven success of Uniform Gang Enforcement Team operations that from January 2023 to September 2025 resulted in the seizure of more than $1.2 million in illicit proceeds in addition to 192 firearms, 194 kilograms of illegal drugs, 24 vehicles, 99 firearm components and 1,415 additional weapons.
“This team will work closely with our policing partners using intelligence-led and proactive enforcement to disrupt organized crime and violence,” Element further said. “We will be complementing the important work already underway in communities across the north and providing additional resources where they’re needed most.”
Up until Thursday’s official launch CFSEU-BC media relations officer Sgt. Sarbjit Kaur Sangha said they were working hard on establishing the ND UGET and securing equipment and space.
Sangha described organized crime as having no jurisdictional boundaries.
“They go where they can make money, where they can exploit vulnerable individuals for drug trafficking, firearm trafficking,” she said, adding the launch of the ND UGET does not mean they have seen an increase in violence.
“There have been bouts of violence here and there, but this team is a constant presence for organized crime to let them know we are here and we are going to stay.”
North District RCMP acting assistant district officer Insp. Darren Woroshelo called the launch of the ND UGET an important step forward in strengthening public safety in northern B.C.
He said the team brings together specialized resources and expertise to target offenders who have the greatest impact on northern communities, particularly those involved in organized crime, violent repeat offences and firearm-related activity.