(Photo credit: Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team)

By Nathaniel Leigh

ALERT

Arrests made in multi-year drug trafficking investigation

Apr 15, 2025 | 12:00 PM

ALERT Grande Prairie’s organized crime team has arrested six people following an organized crime investigation.

Project Glacier, a two-year investigation concluded March 13 and arrested members of a group allegedly involved in drug trafficking throughout Grande Prairie and the B.C. Peace Region.

Doug Wheeler, a 42-year-old from Wembley has been charged with instructing the commissions of an offence from a criminal organization and conspiracy to traffic drugs, amongst other offences.

The other suspects facing charges are:

• Joseph Collicutt, 38-year-old from Grande Prairie;
• Jesse Lukac, 31-year-old from Grande Prairie;
• Patrick Arcand, 26-year-old from Sexsmith;
• Cody Yanishewski, 27-year-old from Grande Prairie;
• Shannon Pearse, 31-year-old from Wembley.

As part of the investigation, ALERT seized approximately $283,000 in drugs and cash consisting of:

• Two firearms;
• 2,219 grams of cocaine;
• 319 grams of cocaine buffing agents;
• 1,110 illicit opioid pills
• Various amounts of illegal steroids.

One of the firearms had previously been reported stolen.

The suspects are scheduled to appear in court in Grande Prairie on May 28.