7 arrested in Surrey dial-a-dope drug ring bust

Seven people have been arrested in relation to drug trafficking dial-a-dope operations in Surrey, B.C. part of thedrug tradewhich has helpedfuela string of shootings in the city's ongoing gangturf war.

Surrey RCMP say five men and two womenwere arrested, Tuesday, after search warrants on properties near the Central City Mall revealed"evidence consistent with street-level drug trafficking."

Police say the investigation is ongoing, but the warrants were issued in relation to a dial-a-dope ring.

"The Surrey RCMP continues to make progress targeting those individuals involved in the drug trade," said Surrey RCMPInspector Shawna Baher in a written statement.

"By combining these enforcement activities with a number of prevention and intervention strategies, we are working on a multi-tiered approach to deal with the negative effects that the drug trade has on the health and safety of our community."

There have been more than 30 shootings in Surrey in recent months, which police have consistently attributed to a low-level drug war.

The violence has sparked ongoingconcern among residents.

In April, RCMP said they arrested five people and seized 13 firearms in relation to the shootings.