Ten months following the RCMP’s announcement to expand its efforts against gangs, the North District Uniform Gang Enforcement Team (ND-UGET) has officially commenced operations in Prince George to combat organized crime in northern B.C.
Supt. Ryan Element, the acting officer in charge of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit-B.C. (CFSEU), emphasized the necessity for a specialized unit in northern B.C. due to the 39 deployments made from the Lower Mainland between 2020 and the summer of 2026.
Element highlighted the clear need for a sustained presence in the north, stating that the new team would collaborate closely with law enforcement partners to disrupt organized crime through intelligence-led and proactive enforcement strategies.
While the CFSEU is based in the Lower Mainland, its members have frequently been deployed to various regions across the province. Notably, in May 2025, the CFSEU’s Uniform Gang Enforcement Team was dispatched to B.C.’s Peace region, resulting in multiple arrests and seizures in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John.
The new unit is expected to operate in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek, with officers selected from northern communities receiving additional training to enhance their effectiveness in combating organized crime in the region.
Sgt. Sarbjit K. Sangha, a media relations officer, highlighted the efficacy of previous deployments in the north and emphasized the importance of having officers familiar with the communities they serve to address organized crime effectively.
Insp. Darren Woroshelo of the North District RCMP emphasized that the new unit would target prolific offenders involved in organized crime and repeat violent offenses. By fostering collaboration across detachments and regions, the team aims to identify emerging threats, share intelligence efficiently, and concentrate enforcement efforts where they can have the most significant impact.
Overall, the unit will focus on tracking and disrupting criminal activities of prolific offenders and organized crime as they move between communities, prioritizing a proactive approach to enhance public safety across northern British Columbia.