RCMP are stepping up to the plate in the ongoing battle against organized crime in the Central Okanagan.

Inspector Gary Stuart of E Division in the Lower Mainland says he's bringing in a team to put a dent in organized crime.

He says one of his weapons will be seizing the assets of organized crime groups.

"They're in the business of making money. I have never known a drug dealer who is in the business for fun. If we can diminish that incentive by taking away their assets, I think our communities will be better off."

He says the seizure of clubhouses belonging to organized crime groups is also a possibility.

"I'm not going to say that's specifically on our agenda. Once the team is up and running, we're going to prioritize our efforts and if that is one of them, then that may be something that we'll attempt to do."

The Hells Angels own a clubhouse in Kelowna. In Ontario, there have been three Hells Angels' clubhouse seizures by the OPP, most recently in London.

Meantime, RCMP Superintendent Bill McKinnon says he'll soon be releasing a list of names of businesses in the Kelowna area with links to organized crime.

Interview with Inspector Gary Stewart (Kelly Hayes)