Two Okanagan residents with gang connections charged, drugs and weapons seized

KELOWNA – Police have arrested and charged two Lake Country residents with gang ties in the Central Okanagan and seized a large quantity of drugs and weapons.

Police say the investigation started early 2014 after a member of the Kelowna-based Independent Soldiers was allegedly recruiting new members for a planned resurgence of the notorious gang. Police say the goal of the investigation was to target the suspect’s alleged criminal activities, which officers say included drugs, violence, and weapon-related offences as well as to disrupt the possible resurgence of the gang in the Okanagan. Police say the investigation revealed that the suspect and his girlfriend were involved in illegal activity.

The two people arrested are 43-year-old Donahugh Fredrick McWhirter of Lake Country along with his 25-year-old girlfriend Brittany Marie Stinn, also of Lake Country.

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A search warrant of a home in the 3000-block of Jolinda Court in Lake Country yielded a large seizure of drugs and weapons. Police say among the weapons they seized were a high-powered prohibited handgun, a 20 gauge shotgun, AR-style .22 calibre rifle, assorted ammunition and a crossbow. Police say they also seized a large quantity of drugs, including 18.6 grams of cocaine, 500.6 grams of MDMA powder, 5595 ecstasy pills and 247.2 grams of MDMA. Police also seized various steroid vials and other pills as well as drug paraphernalia. RCMP say they also found three large boxes of new clothing bearing the Independent Soldiers logo.

The pair have both been charged with one count of trafficking a controlled substance. Additional drug and weapons related charges are pending. The two have been released from custody pending a court appearance on Feb. 16.