10.9°C Vancouver
connect fm logo

Oct 31, 2024 3:35 PM - The Canadian Press

Drug-trafficking investigation leads to charges against 19 people in northern B.C.

Share On
drug-trafficking-investigation-leads-to-charges-against-19-people-in-northern-b-c
The unit says the Public Prosecution Service of Canada approved charges this month against 19 people ranging in age from 24 to 63 years old.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Federal prosecutors have approved charges against 19 people, eight of them still at large, after an investigation into what police call a violent drug trafficking network in northeastern British Columbia.

A statement from B.C.'s Combined Special Forces Enforcement Unit says two of the 11 people who were arrested remain in custody, while the others have been released with conditions as they move through the judicial process.

It says the other eight, all men, are wanted on outstanding charges that include trafficking, possession of a restricted firearm and careless use or storage of a gun.

The unit says it began an investigation in June 2022, working alongside police in Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and Fort Nelson to target alleged drug trafficking and "violent activity" threatening public safety.

It says the execution of search warrants in several Peace Region communities between October 2022 and January 2023 turned up illicit drugs and guns and led to the arrests of 23 people who were released while prosecutors considered charges.

The unit says the Public Prosecution Service of Canada approved charges this month against 19 people ranging in age from 24 to 63 years old.

The investigation "unveiled an alleged drug trafficking network causing significant harm to the Peace Region communities," Sgt. Brenda Winpenny with the combined special forces unit said in the statement issued Wednesday.

Several of those charged are facing one count of drug possession or trafficking, while one man from Fort St. John faces seven counts of trafficking.

Police are asking for the public's help in locating the eight men at large, and anyone with information is asked to call local police or Crime Stoppers.

Latest news

See All
BCNov 05, 2026

BC Election Final Count Begins Friday, Recounts Ordered in Two Ridings

Elections BC will begin the final count of last month’s provincial election on Friday. Although the BC Conservatives secured a majority government by winning 63 of the 93 seats, the margins between leading candidates remain fewer than 200 votes in four ridings. Nearly 150,000 mail-in ballots will be counted during the final counting process, with the final results expected to be announced by November 10. Elections BC has ordered recounts in two ridings where the margin between candidates is fewer than 100 votes. These include Burnaby South-Metrotown, where the NDP candidate is leading by jus
IndiaNov 05, 2026

High Court Directs Punjab Government to Submit LPU Violence Report to Centre Within 72 Hours

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab government to submit its report to the Centre within 72 hours, a month after violent protests took place at Lovely Professional University (LPU). The Centre will now decide whether the National Investigation Agency (NIA) should investigate the offence registered by Punjab Police under the IT Act. The direction came after Punjab Police reportedly found material during its ongoing investigation indicating a possible link to cyberterrorism. Scheduling the next hearing for November 17, the court emphasized that, given the sensitivity of the
BCNov 05, 2026

Vancouver Rents End 34-Month Annual Decline, Rise 0.2% in October

The nearly three-year decline in apartment and condo rents in Vancouver has come to an end. According to the latest report by Rentals.ca and Urbanation, average asking rents in Vancouver increased by 0.2 per cent year-over-year in October, marking the first annual increase in 34 months. Rents reached an average of $2,735. Similarly, rents in Toronto, Canada's second-most expensive rental market, rose by 1.6 per cent to $2,590 after declining for 32 consecutive months. On a month-over-month basis, Toronto recorded the highest rental increase among Canada's six largest markets, with rents rising
storm-threatens-b-c-s-coastal-regions-with-heavy-rainfall-and-strong-wind-warnings
BCNov 05, 2026

Storm Threatens B.C.’s Coastal Regions, With Heavy Rainfall and Strong Wind Warnings

A powerful storm is expected to hit British Columbia’s coastal regions, bringing heavy rainfall of up to 120 millimetres in some areas. Environment Canada has issued heavy rainfall warnings for western and inland parts of Vancouver Island, where rainfall could reach 10 millimetres per hour for several consecutive hours. According to the weather agency, the heaviest rainfall is expected in northern areas near Tofino, including Port Alice and Zeballos. Heavy rain is also forecast for the Central Coast, including Bella Coola. Meanwhile, strong winds reaching speeds of up to 110 km/h are expecte
AlbertaNov 05, 2026

Alberta Government Concerned Over U.S. Midterm Election Results

Following the Democrats’ sweeping victory in the U.S. midterm elections, experts and political leaders in Alberta are assessing the potential impact on Canada, particularly the province. American voters also voiced strong opposition to political parties manipulating electoral maps. Alberta’s NDP has compared the issue to the ongoing controversy over the province’s proposed new electoral boundaries. Premier Danielle Smith said the U.S. midterm results reinforced her government’s approach to dealing with tariffs. Her government has emphasized diplomacy and negotiations to strengthen rela

Related News

BC Election Final Count Begins Friday, Recounts Ordered in Two Ridings

BC Election Final Count Begins Friday, Recounts Ordered in Two Ridings

Elections BC will begin the final count of last month’s provincial election on Friday. Although the BC Conservatives secured a majority government by winning 63 of the 93 seats, the margins between leading candidates remain fewer than 200 votes in four ridings. Nearly 150,000 mail-in ballots will be counted during the final counting process, with the final results expected to be announced by November 10. Elections BC has ordered recounts in two ridings where the margin between candidates is fewer than 100 votes. These include Burnaby South-Metrotown, where the NDP candidate is leading by jus
Vancouver Rents End 34-Month Annual Decline, Rise 0.2% in October

Vancouver Rents End 34-Month Annual Decline, Rise 0.2% in October

The nearly three-year decline in apartment and condo rents in Vancouver has come to an end. According to the latest report by Rentals.ca and Urbanation, average asking rents in Vancouver increased by 0.2 per cent year-over-year in October, marking the first annual increase in 34 months. Rents reached an average of $2,735. Similarly, rents in Toronto, Canada's second-most expensive rental market, rose by 1.6 per cent to $2,590 after declining for 32 consecutive months. On a month-over-month basis, Toronto recorded the highest rental increase among Canada's six largest markets, with rents rising
Storm Threatens B.C.’s Coastal Regions, With Heavy Rainfall and Strong Wind Warnings

Storm Threatens B.C.’s Coastal Regions, With Heavy Rainfall and Strong Wind Warnings

A powerful storm is expected to hit British Columbia’s coastal regions, bringing heavy rainfall of up to 120 millimetres in some areas. Environment Canada has issued heavy rainfall warnings for western and inland parts of Vancouver Island, where rainfall could reach 10 millimetres per hour for several consecutive hours. According to the weather agency, the heaviest rainfall is expected in northern areas near Tofino, including Port Alice and Zeballos. Heavy rain is also forecast for the Central Coast, including Bella Coola. Meanwhile, strong winds reaching speeds of up to 110 km/h are expecte
connect fm logo

Legals

Privacy policy
Journalism code of ethics
© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.
MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

About
Advertisers
Careers
Contact
Feedback
Accessibility Plan
Broadcasting Notice of Consultation
BC Children's Hospital
Android app linkApple app link