A six-month undercover operation called Prudent has resulted in dismantling a sophisticated drug operation along with the confiscation of rock cocaine, cash, an assault rifle and ammunition, and two vehicles.
RCMP Cst. Dan Schenkeveld, drug section spokesperson, said between July, 2009 and Jan. 9, 2010, trained undercover drug investigators infiltrated a fairly large group of drug traffickers operating in Prince George. Investigators were able to make 17 purchases of cocaine, totalling about 1.5 pounds, a 7.62 assault rifle, prohibited 30-round banana magazines and 32 rounds of 7.62 ammunition.
On Jan. 9, armed with search warrants to enter residences in the 2300 block of Inlander Street and the 200 block of Cherry Avenue, police seized more than 10 ounces of cocaine, more than $25,000 in cash, a money-counting machine, scales, bags, wrappers for kilogram bricks of drugs, and three vehicles alleged to be used to facilitate drug deals, including a luxury SUV and a car.
The combined street value of the cocaine is estimated at about $125,000, said Schenkeveld.
During the final take-down of the operation, involving 25 members of the RCMP, police found cash stored in various locations inside a safe house such as a false-bottomed container in a bedroom.
Seven people are in custody with charges relating to organized crime, firearms trafficking and conspiracy to traffic cocaine, and a further 24 people are being recommended for street-level dealing, primarily in the downtown area. Some suspects are facing multiple charges. Overall, more than 75 charges of firearms and cocaine trafficking have been recommended to Crown Counsel.
Charges have been sworn against Prince George residents Richard Prince, 30; Jody Webster, 34; Bridget Anderson, 43; Donovan Smith, 20; Albert Funk, 41; Marlene Patrick, 35 and Sylvia Patrick, 33.
Schenkeveld said these people have been major suspects in Prince George and area for a long time and noted the group was "hard to infiltrate due to deep familiarity ties" in the community.
The most significant aspect of the operation is the dissolution of an entire group dealing drugs at the kilo level, said Schenkeveld.
"This group is paralyzed now," said Schenkeveld, noting, police are trying to get rid of drug dealers in the downtown area.
"The perception is that downtown is not a safe place to operate a business due to drug dealings," he added.
--btrick@pgcitizen.ca
