28 Charges Laid in Northern BC Drug Trafficking Investigation

For Immediate Release: June 25, 2025 

CFSEU-BC 2023-83 

Four individuals have been charged following a 14-month drug trafficking and firearms investigation led by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) in Northern BC.

The investigation began in April 2023, targeting a drug trafficking network operating in Prince Rupert.
On June 5, 2024, following a 14-month investigation, CFSEU-BC North District, in partnership with the Prince Rupert RCMP and with assistance from the Prince Rupert Coastal Unit, executed five search warrants in Prince Rupert.

Investigators seized the following items:

• Nine (9) firearms, including two loaded shotguns, a Tikka rifle and a loaded 9 mm handgun with a prohibited magazine;
• 1.2 kilograms of methamphetamine;
• 16 grams of cocaine along with kilogram-style packaging,
• Approximately $38,000 in bundled cash
• Two (2) vehicles as offence-related property.

On June 5, 2025, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada approved twenty-eight (28) criminal charges against the following individuals:

• Keith Fenton (38 years old), of Prince Rupert – charged with trafficking in a controlled substance, possession of a loaded restricted firearm, possession of a firearm without authorization, possession of a prohibited device (over capacity magazine), and five counts of unsafe firearm storage;
• Richard Gladstone (34 years old), of Prince Rupert – charged with seven (7) counts of trafficking a controlled substance;
• Johnathn Sharkey (35 years old), of Prince Rupert – charged with ten (10) counts of trafficking a controlled substance;
• Kimberly Jenna Smith (27 years old), of Prince Rupert – charged with two (2) counts of trafficking a controlled substance.

Keith Fenton, Richard Gladstone, Kimberly Smith and Johnathn Sharkey have been arrested and released with conditions.

“Thanks to intelligence-led enforcement and close cooperation with the Prince Rupert RCMP and Coastal Unit, we’ve brought 28 charges against individuals harming our communities through organized crime,” said Cpl. Sarbjit K. Sangha, Media Relations Officer for CFSEU-BC. “We remain committed to keeping British Columbians safe by targeting those involved in violence and drug trafficking.”

Cpl. Sarbjit K. Sangha
A/Sgt. Media Relations Unit
Media Relations Officer
Royal Canadian Mounted Police with
Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – British Columbia
media@cfseu.bc.ca
Desk: 778-290-2126
Cell: 236-558-0441