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Eight wanted men in British Columbia for drug-trafficking ring. Pictures courtesy CFSEU-BC/CKPG Today.
By Erika Rolling
Crime

Eight suspects sought for in B.C. Peace Region drug trafficking ring investigation

Oct 31, 2024 | 12:00 PM

An over two year long investigation into a drug trafficking network in British Columbia has authorities still searching for eight more suspects following a number of arrests already made.

The Combined Special Forces Enforcement Unit of British Columbia’s North District Team (CSFEU-BC) has been collaborating with Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, and Fort Nelson police partners over the course of their investigation, targeting individuals believed to be engaging in drug trafficking activities.

Search warrants executed in January and October of 2023, around many B.C. Peace communities, led to several individuals getting arrested; along with the seizure of drugs, weapons, firearms, and vehicles.

On October 23-24, 2024, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada approved several charges against 19 people in relation to this investigation. Arrest warrants were issued for all 19; eleven have been arrested, and of those, two are still in custody and the rest have been released on conditions. Eight are still being sought after.

The people and a list of their charges are as follows:

  • Peter James Ayles, a 44-year-old male from Dawson Creek
    • Five counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
    • One count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
  • Leanne Denise Hart, a 47-year-old female from Dawson Creek
    • One count of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
    • One count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
  • Kyle Rowan Fell, a 27-year-old male from Dawson Creek
    • Five counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
  • Jessica Anne Desjarlais, a 42-year-old female from Fort St. John
    • Four counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
  • Sheldon Dean Horne, a 37-year-old male from Fort St. John
    • One count of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
  • Aaron James Linklater, a 48-year-old male from Dawson Creek
    • Five counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
  • Morgan Charles Fraser, a 40-year-old male from Fort St. John
    • Three counts of trafficking in controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
    • Two counts Possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
    • One count careless use or storage of a firearm, contrary to Section 86(1) of the Criminal Code
    • One count possess a loaded/unloaded with ammo prohib/restricted firearm, contrary to Section 95(1) of the Criminal Code
    • One count possess cannabis for the purpose of selling it, contrary to section 10(2) of the Cannabis Act.
    • One count possess property obtained by crime contrary to Section 354(1) of the Criminal code
  • Cody Mackenzie Grendus, a 36-year-old male from Fort St. John
    • Seven counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
    • One count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
    • One count of possess firearm w/o license and/ or registration, contrary to section 91(1) of the Criminal Code
    • One count careless use or storage of a firearm, contrary to section 86(1) of the Criminal Code
    • One count possession of firearm, contrary to section 117.01(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Josh Michael Malanowich, a 28-year-old male from Fort St. John
    • Two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
    • Six counts careless use or storage of a firearm, contrary to section 86(1) of the Criminal Code
    • Two counts possess a loaded/unloaded with ammo prohib/restricted firearm, contrary to Section 95(1) of the Criminal Code
    • One count possess cannabis for the purpose of distributing it in a manner contrary to section 9(2) of the Cannabis Act
    • One count possess cannabis for the purpose of selling it, contrary to section 10(2) of the Cannabis Act
  • Joseph Alexander Sandeson, a 49-year-old male from Fort St. John
    • Two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
    • Six counts careless use or storage of a firearm, contrary to section 86(1) of the Criminal Code
    • Two counts possess a loaded/unloaded with ammo prohib/restricted firearm, contrary to Section 95(1) of the Criminal Code
    • One count possess cannabis for the purpose of distributing it in a manner contrary to section 9(2) of the Cannabis Act
    • One count possess cannabis for the purpose of selling it, contrary to section 10(2) of the Cannabis Act.
  • Terry Lee Mearow/McConnell, a 43-year-old female from Fort St. John
    • Four counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
    • One count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
    • One count careless use or storage of a firearm, contrary to section 86(1) of the Criminal Code
    • One count possess a loaded/unloaded with ammo prohib/restricted firearm, contrary to Section 95(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Carol Lynn Mearow, a 63-year-old female from Fort St. John
    • Three counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
  • Miles Dean Savard, a 29-year-old male from Fort St. John
    • One count of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
  • Tracy Dawn Snowden, a 47-year-old female from Fort St. John
    • Six counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
    • One count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
  • William Clayton McLennan, a 34-year-old male from Fort St. John
    • One count of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
    • One count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
  • Daniel Kakonde Tshimba, a 37-year-old male from Fort St. John
    • One count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
  • Hayley Jean Harman, a 24-year-old female from Fort St. John
    • One count of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
  • Brandon Ronan Stuckless, a 31-year-old male from Fort St. John
    • One count of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
  • Bradley Curtis Hodgins, a 60-year-old male from Fort St. John
    • One count of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)

Eight of these people are still wanted on outstanding warrants, they are: Cody Mackenzie Grendus, Josh Michael Malanowich, William Clayton McLennan, Joseph Alexander Sandeson, Miles Dean Savard, Brandon Ronan Stuckless, Daniel Kakonde Tshimba, and Sheldon Dean Horne.

The CFSEU-BC asks for the public’s assistance in locating these wanted men to apprehend them. If you know of any of their whereabouts, please contact your local police detachment or Crime Stoppers.

by Erika Rolling