UPDATE: On May 31st, 2017, Joshua Anderson was given a $3,500 fine and $1,050 surcharge for possession of a substance and possession of a controlled substance.
On July 26, 2018, Matthew Clarke was sentenced to just under four and a half years in jail, less time served leaving over three and a half years left on his sentence for possession for the purpose of trafficking. He was also given a 10-year firearms ban.
More than 700 fentanyl pills have been found by RCMP in Grande Prairie. The bust started just before midnight on May 17th when police found a vehicle that matched the description of one used in a break and enter in the area of 98 Street and 94 Avenue.
Officers found 511 fentanyl pills and a small amount of marijuana on the driver, and 92 more pills and $15,510 in cash in the vehicle. Search warrants were then executed at two homes in the city, turning up 111 more fentanyl pills, 205 Percocet pills, and $3,760 cash.
The driver of the vehicle, 41 year old Matthew Clarke of Grande Prairie, has been charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking , possession of the proceeds of crime, and possession of a controlled substance. He’s set to appear in court on May 24th.
34 year old Joshua Anderson of Wembley was arrested during the search of one of the homes and has also been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and three counts of possession of a controlled substance. He’ll appear in court on May 31st.
An investigation into the drugs and money continues, and police ask anyone with information to contact the Grande Prairie detachment or Crime Stoppers.