43 people are facing charges in connection with a major drug bust in the B.C. Peace. The province’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit carried out five search warrants and several traffic stops, turning up cocaine and fentanyl, along with other drugs like crystal meth, amphetamine and GHB. They also found multiple guns, including an AR15 semi-automatic rifle.
“Between December 5, 2015 and May 24, 2016, our team arrested 29 individuals and more arrests are expected,” says CFSEU-BC Chief Superintendent Kevin Hackett. “Over the next several weeks, it is anticipated that a total 43 individuals will be facing approximately 150 recommended charges.”
37 year old Jamie Christopher St. Denis of Dawson Creek has pled guilty to charges of trafficking cocaine and a firearm, and possession of an illegal firearm and received a sentence of 7.5 years. He and 30 year old Christina Marie MacKay of Bay Tree, Alberta were arrested in Dawson Creek in December for attempting to sell 24 ounces of cocaine. MacKay is facing charges of cocaine possession and trafficking and breach of conditions.
Another Dawson Creek man, 36 year old Ryan Holden, has been charged with multiple weapons offenses, possessing body armour without a permit and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
RCMP in both Fort St. John and Dawson Creek were instrumental in catching the alleged drug dealers. Solicitor General Mike Morris says increasing coordination between law enforcement agencies is crucial but the public also has a role to play in disrupting drug activity.
“Fighting crime in any community is the responsibility of the community. The police can’t do it on their own. We rely on the public. We rely on the public to come forward and report suspicious activities. We rely on the public to come forward and report any activity that indicates there’s drugs being sold in a neighbourhood.”
In total, officers seized 74 ounces of cocaine, 700 fentanyl pills, 1.75 litres of GHB, over 20 grams of amphetamine and methamphetamine and about $70,000 in cash.
With files from Shannon Waters, MyPrinceGeorgeNow.com