Police investigations are continuing after police raided homes in Nanaimo and Ladysmith.
The search warrants were carried out Thursday morning at a house at 610 Harewood Rd. and at a house on Prospect Drive in Ladysmith's North Oyster district near Yellow Point.
Mounties brought int he Vancouver Island Emergency Response Team for both searches due to "activities associated with the individuals at each location," according to a police press release.
"Information obtained through the course of the investigation lead officers to believe there may be firearms in the homes, also, the individuals associated to the houses, were known to be violent," Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman said in an e-mail to the News Bulletin.
Two women and two men were arrested at the Harewood Road residence and one woman was arrested on Prospect Drive. The searches and arrests were made without incident.
RCMP clandestine lab specialists remain at both scene conducting investigations, seizing chemicals and gathering other evidence.
O'Brien said more information will be available when the searches are completed.
A search was also carried out Wednesday on what police said is a known drug house at 61 View St.
Police moved in, again with the Emergency Response Team, searching for drugs and firearms.
Investigators seized a small quantity of drugs, including crack cocaine, marijuana and some unknown powders, plus an SKS semi-automatic rifle and an antique revolver. The rifle and revolver are thought to be stolen. Stolen identification and a mountain bike were found as well.
Two women and one man arrested at the scene were released later that night on promises to appear in Nanaimo provincial court Feb. 24.
The investigation is continuing and more charges could arise from the seizure of the firearms and other items.