Prince George resident arrested in major meth and fentanyl bust in Alberta

The investigation eventually expanded to Lloydminster as the group being looked at demonstrated it had ties to that city’s drug market.

“These are wholesale trafficking amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl, and these drugs would’ve ultimately ended up in the community and surrounding communities to be trafficked,” said ALERT Inspector Brad Lundeen, then asked by rdnewsNOW during a media availability Wednesday if the drug situation is improving or worsening.

Drugs seized as part of Project Radar. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

“My concern is the higher volumes of what I’d call these street drugs. We’re also seeing them in combination with each other, so many seizures over the past year we’ve seen methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine all together in the same location or being trafficked by the same group. Historically seizures are more commodity-specific.”

Lundeen also clarified that two Red Deer homes searched as part of this investigation were in the north end and downtown. The drugs were not manufactured in these home. During those searches, two suspects were arrested. Another person remains wanted on warrants.

Drugs seized as part of Project Radar. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

The most recent arrest, they said, took place Jan. 17, with ALERT receiving help from Red Deer RCMP and B.C.’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) Prince George.

Jaydon Harrison, 24, of Prince George, and Nikita Robertson, 24, of Edmonton, are each charged with multiple counts of drug trafficking. Harrison, who was arrested in Prince George, is in court Feb. 21, while Robertson is in court Feb. 16.

Meanwhile, a warrant has been issued for Katie Gowanlock, as pictured below. The 40-year-old is charged with 10 counts of drug trafficking and is believed to be in the Central Alberta area. ALERT believes she remains in central Alberta.

Katie Gowanlock, 40, has a warrant out for her arrest in connection to the above detailed investigation. (ALERT)

“In this case, there isn’t a known street gang, though trafficking and drugs involve organized crime activity and multiple people,” added Lundeen.

Red Deer RCMP’s officer in charge, Holly Glassford, also stated that the effects of drugs influence rates of property crimes and persons crimes.

“The impact this investigation has on the safety of the community,” she said, “is huge when we see a project of this magnitude.”

ALERT also clarified that none of the three accused have been involved in past ALERT investigations.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

ALERT is holding a news conference later this week to speak with the media about the investigation.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Prince George resident arrested in major meth and fentanyl bust in Alberta

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