Public Safety Minister Mike Morris has issued the following statement related to recent arrests in Surrey:

“I am pleased to see significant headway being made by the RCMP in Surrey. Recent police actions and arrests – including five announced today – have destabilized the groups involved in targeted shootings in the area and considerably reduced their drug-trafficking operations.

“Targeted shootings, the low-level drug trade and the conflicts surrounding it continue to be extremely concerning to our government. I can assure the people of British Columbia that police and community leaders throughout the Lower Mainland will continue to work relentlessly to keep these criminals off our streets.

“We also need those who have information about these incidents – their families and their friends – to do the right thing and come forward to police. We all must work together to keep our communities safe.”