Charges laid in gun trafficking investigation

A bust at a Kelowna home last year related to firearms trafficking has now resulted in charges.

Keenan Ely, 23, is facing charges of possession of a firearm at an unauthorized place, careless storage of a firearm, failure to report a lost or stolen firearm, and multiple counts of firearm trafficking.

He has been released from custody on strict conditions for a future court date.

On May 20, 2020, officers from the Kelowna RCMP Special Enforcement Unit (SET), assisted by the RCMP National Weapons Enforcement Support Team (NWEST), executed a search warrant at a residence on Theodora Road in Kelowna. The warrant was related to an active investigation into suspected firearms trafficking.

“This investigation was an excellent collaboration that succeeded in putting a stop to a local group who were allegedly putting guns in the hands of criminals,” Cpl. Nick Brodeur NCO-in-charge of the Kelowna RCMP Special Enforcement Team, said. “Guns obtained in this manner are often used in criminal activity, and put our community in danger.”

As a result of the findings during the firearms investigation, the SET team initiated further investigation into a related drug trafficking operation.

“This investigation resulted in search warrants at two Kelowna residences where a significant amount of cash and two vehicles were located and seized. Referral to the Civil Forfeiture Office was made and the forfeiture process has since been initiated,” Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy, media relations officer, said.

No charges have been laid in regards to that investigation at this time.

Anyone with further information on this investigation, or any other suspected firearms traffickers, can contact the Kelowna RCMP Special Enforcement Team at 250-762-3300 or Crime Stoppers at www.crimestoppers.net or at 1-800-222-8477.