The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) spent the last 24 hours disrupting drug trafficking and street disorder around the Commercial-Broadway area during social assistance cheque-issue week.
VPD has made nine arrests for possession for the purpose of trafficking and seized more than 114 grams of packaged drugs, along with over $3,000 in cash, police say.
This announcement comes one day after VPD issued a public warning following seven overdose incidents occurring at the same time near East 10th Avenue and Broadway.
Officers have been targeting the Commercial Drive and Broadway area as it typically sees a “spike” in drug activity, violence, and overdoses during cheque-issue week.
While police attended the scene of one of the overdoses yesterday, VPD found multiple weapons, including a samurai sword and several knives.
“Our teams have been working tirelessly to curb drug trafficking and disorder in the Commercial–Broadway area during this high‑risk period,” says Acting Insp. Astrid Bonter, district three commander.
“The arrests and seizures made over the past day reflect the dedication of our officers and our commitment to reducing overdoses and disrupting the flow of toxic drugs through this corridor.”