Charges laid in CFSEU-BC Investigation into Peace Region Drug Trafficking Network

 Charges have now been laid in connection to an investigation by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia’s (CFSEU-BC) North District Team that resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of drugs, firearms, cash, and the arrest of several individuals. 

In June 2022, CFSEU-BC’s North District Team began a drug investigation, working collaboratively with policing partners in Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and Fort Nelson to target individuals who were believed to be engaged in drug trafficking and violent activity causing harm and posing a risk to community safety. 

Search warrants were executed between October 13, 2022 and January 23, 2023 in a number of Peace Region communities, seizing drugs, weapons, firearms, vehicles, which resulted in the arrest of several individuals. For more information see previous media releases below. 

Link to media release Feb 2023 

Link to media release Oct 2024

 Between October 22-24, 2024, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) approved several charges, in relation to this investigation, for the following individuals: 

 Peter James Ayles, a 44-year-old male from Dawson Creek; 

• Five (5) counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
• One (1) count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)

 Leanne Denise HART, a 47-year-old female from Dawson Creek; 

• One (1) count of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
• One (1) count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)

Kyle Rowan Fell, a 27-year-old male from Dawson Creek;

• Five (5) counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)

 Jessica Anne Desjarlais, a 42-year-old female from Fort St. John; 

• Four (4) counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)

 Sheldon Dean Horne, a 37-year-old male from Fort St. John; 

• One (1) count of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) 

Aaron James Linklater, a 48-year-old male from Dawson Creek; 

• Five (5) counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) 

Morgan Charles Fraser, a 40-year-old male from Fort St. John; 

• Three (3) counts of trafficking in controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) 
• Two (2) counts Possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) 
• One (1) count careless use or storage of a firearm, contrary to Section 86(1) of the Criminal Code 
• One (1) count possess a loaded/unloaded with ammo prohib/restricted firearm, contrary to Section 95(1) of the Criminal Code 
• One (1) count possess cannabis for the purpose of selling it, contrary to section 10(2) of the Cannabis Act. 
• One (1) count possess property obtained by crime contrary to Section 354(1) of the Criminal code 

Cody Mackenzie Grendus, a 36-year-old male from Fort St. John; 

• Seven (7) counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) 
• One (1) count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
• One (1) count of possess firearm w/o license and/ or registration, contrary to section 91(1) of the Criminal Code 
• One (1) count careless use or storage of a firearm, contrary to section 86(1) of the Criminal Code 
• One (1) count possession of firearm, contrary to section 117.01(1) of the Criminal Code  

Josh Michael Malanowich, a 28-year-old male from Fort St. John; 

• Two (2) counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) 
• Six (6) counts careless use or storage of a firearm, contrary to section 86(1) of the Criminal Code 
• Two (2) counts possess a loaded/unloaded with ammo prohib/restricted firearm, contrary to Section 95(1) of the Criminal Code 
• One (1) count possess cannabis for the purpose of distributing it in a manner contrary to section 9(2) of the Cannabis Act 
• One (1) count possess cannabis for the purpose of selling it, contrary to section 10(2) of the Cannabis Act. 

Joseph Alexander Sandeson, a 49-year-old male from Fort St. John; 

• Two (2) counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) 
• Six (6) counts careless use or storage of a firearm, contrary to section 86(1) of the Criminal Code 
• Two (2) counts possess a loaded/unloaded with ammo prohib/restricted firearm, contrary to Section 95(1) of the Criminal Code 
• One (1) count possess cannabis for the purpose of distributing it in a manner contrary to section 9(2) of the Cannabis Act 
• One (1) count possess cannabis for the purpose of selling it, contrary to section 10(2) of the Cannabis Act. 

Terry Lee Mearow/McConnell, a 43-year-old female from Fort St. John; 

• Four (4) counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) 
• One (1) count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) 
• One (1) count careless use or storage of a firearm, contrary to section 86(1) of the Criminal Code 
• One (1) count possess a loaded/unloaded with ammo prohib/restricted firearm, contrary to Section 95(1) of the Criminal Code 

Carol Lynn Mearow, a 63-year-old female from Fort St. John; 

• Three (3) counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) 

Miles Dean Savard, a 29-year-old male from Fort St. John; 

• One (1) count of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) 

Tracy Dawn Snowden, a 47-year-old female from Fort St. John; 

• Six (6) counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) 
• One (1) count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) 

William Clayton McLennan, a 34-year-old male from Fort St. John; 

• One (1) count of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) 
• One (1) count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) 

Daniel Kakonde Tshimba, a 37-year-old male from Fort St. John; 

• One (1) count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)

Hayley Jean Harman, a 24-year-old female from Fort St. John; 

• One (1) count of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) 

Brandon Ronan Stuckless, a 31-year-old male from Fort St. John; 

• One (1) count of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) 

Bradley Curtis Hodgins a 60-year-old male from Fort St. John; 

• One (1) count of trafficking in a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) 

Arrest warrants were issued for the nineteen (19) individuals charged with the above offences. 

Eleven (11) individuals have been arrested, two (2) of which remain in custody while the others have been released with conditions awaiting the judicial process. The remaining eight (8) individuals are wanted on outstanding warrants related to their charges. 

The CFSEU-BC is requesting the public’s assistance in locating the eight (8) individuals who have outstanding arrest warrants. If you have information about the whereabouts of the following individuals: Cody Mackenzie Grendus,Josh Michael Malanowich,William Clayton McLennan,Joseph Alexander Sandeson,Miles Dean Savard, Brandon Ronan Stuckless, Daniel Kakonde Tshimba,and Sheldon Dean Horne, please contact your local police or Crime Stoppers. 

“The investigation led by CFSEU-BC unveiled an alleged drug trafficking network causing significant harm to the Peace Region communities,” says Sergeant Brenda Winpenny, Media Relations Officer for CFSEU-BC. “The investigation highlights CFSEU-BC’s commitment to working in collaboration with our policing partners to enhance public safety by fulfilling our mandate to target, investigate, disrupt and support the prosecution of those who pose the highest threat to public safety.” 

Media Spokesperson: Sergeant Brenda Winpenny 

Cell: 604-838-6800 

Email: [email protected]