By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
RCMP have identified the “high risk, wanted” individual arrested in a large police operation in Osoyoos on Friday, Feb. 13 as a 54 year-old resident of Osoyoos.
In a statement RCMP said Afshin Maleki Ighani was arrested with the help of the RCMP Southeast District Emergency Response Team.
Sgt Jason Bayda, Area Commander, Osoyoos RCMP, said that on February 13, 2026, at approximately 6:00 p.m., “the Osoyoos RCMP, along with our Crime Reduction Unit, attended a motel in the 2500 block of Lakeshore Drive to effect the arrest of a man wanted on two outstanding warrants.”
Bayda said that upon securing the area and blocking all escape routes, the man refused to come out of his suite. “Due to his history of violence and weapons-related offences, the Southeast District RCMP ERT was deployed.”
At 12:20 am, Ighani exited his suite and was taken into custody on his criminal code warrant for obstructing a peace officer, uttering threats, possession of a weapon and driving while prohibited and a second warrant under the Family Maintenance Enforcement Act. A loaded firearm was also seized from the suite, and further charges are expected, Bayda said.
“I want to thank the public for their patience while police had the area blocked off”, said Bayda. “When dealing with persons with a history of violence, it is paramount we as police plan and respond in a means that keeps the public and our officers safe”.
Ighani has been remanded in custody.
