PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – As organized crime continues to tighten its grip on Northern British Columbia, the province has announced the establishment of a dedicated specialized policing unit: the North District Uniform Gang Enforcement Team (ND UGET).
The announcement, made on December 16, 2025, by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC), marks a strategic shift in addressing the region’s unique public safety challenges. Based in Prince George, the team will be permanently stationed in the North, allowing for faster response times and a sustained presence in rural and remote communities.
Combatting “Poly-Criminality” and Drug Networks
Police report that organized crime groups have significantly expanded their operations in the North, using major transportation corridors to move weapons, illicit drugs (including fentanyl), and criminal proceeds.
The region’s vast and rugged geography has become increasingly attractive to criminal networks seeking to produce and transport illegal products away from traditional high-enforcement areas. Officials describe this as “poly-criminality,” where groups are involved in multiple layers of crime, including extortion and the illicit drug trade. In the Peace Region alone, at least 12 murders in the last four years have been linked to organized crime.
A Proven Model for the North
The launch of the ND UGET follows years of increasing demand for specialized enforcement in the region. Between 2020 and 2024, the CFSEU-BC’s provincial UGET was deployed to Northern B.C. 28 times, representing more than a quarter of its total deployments. In the first nine months of 2025, the unit was already sent north six times.
From January 2023 to September 2025, UGET’s enforcement across the province yielded significant results:
- $1,252,135 in illicit proceeds seized
- 192 firearms and 99 firearm components removed from communities
- 194 kilograms of illegal drugs intercepted
- 1,415 additional weapons seized
Operational Plan and Regional Impact
The ND UGET will consist of eight specialized police officers and one shared administrative position. Hiring for the unit is set to begin in January 2026, with the team expected to be fully operational later that year.
The team’s core objectives include:
- Targeting violent offenders and gang associates.
- Intercepting dangerous contraband and criminal profits.
- Coordinating intelligence with local police detachments and First Nations leadership.
- Enhancing community safety through focused, visible suppression efforts.
“A dedicated UGET team in the North District is a proactive investment in long-term public safety,” said A/Comm. Manny Mann, Chief Officer of CFSEU-BC. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger echoed this sentiment, stating that the government is committed to “disrupting criminal networks and protecting communities” across B.C..
