Autumn MacDonald
Black Press
They say it could change the pattern of cocaine trafficking across B.C.
RCMP North District Federal Drug Enforcement have arrested four people on drug and weapons charges in Quesnel, including a 43-year-old man police believe to be at the centre of cocaine trafficking in Northern B.C.
Last Tuesday, David George Massey and two other men were arrested in downtown Quesnel. Two kilograms of cocaine and a large sum of cash were seized from two vehicles.
Along with Massey, 36-year-old James Darren Peacock of Chilliwack and 34-year-old Kelly Edward Champagne of Abbotsford were also arrested.
Immediately following the arrests, RCMP drug enforcement officers obtained warrants on a home and four businesses in Quesnel. Several rifles, two handguns, a large cache of ammunition, body armour, two tasers and another large sum of cash were seized.
Two of the rifles are stolen and one of them was loaded with prohibited magazines that presented a serious risk to the public.
Stolen property worth hundreds of thousands of dollars was also seized including a one ton flat-deck truck, excavator, tractor, and other machinery.
Last Wednesday, Massey’s common-law wife, 42-year-old Tanya Lynn Shepherd, was also arrested.
Massey is facing charges including possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime, multiple firearms-related offences and multiple counts of possession of stolen property.
Shepherd is facing charges of possession of proceeds of crime, several firearms-related offences and possession of stolen property.
Peacock and Champagne are facing charges of trafficking in a controlled substance, possession of proceeds of crime and breach of conditions. The list of charges laid in this file is still not finalized.
RCMP federal drug enforcement believes the arrests will have a significant impact on a number of crimes and cocaine trafficking activities throughout northern British Columbia, ultimately contributing to crime reduction and safer communities.
“At the higher levels of organized crime there is more sophistication from the criminals and the investigations to obtain proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt are complex and resource-intensive” B.C. North District operations officer, Insp. Ray Fast said.
“We have been listening to the concerns of the people of Quesnel and this investigation is another graphic illustration that drugs, weapons and organized crime are not limited to our major city centers.”
The RCMP’s North District Drug Enforcement has been getting invaluable support and assistance from the Quesnel RCMP, North District Criminal Intelligence Section, North District Regional General Investigation Section, Forensic Identification Services, Police Dog Services, Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit and other units of the BC RCMP.
“Without the support of the people of B.C. and the information they provide, the RCMP and its specialized units would not be nearly as effective” officer in charge of the RCMP’s Federal Drug Enforcement, Supt. Brian Cantera said.
“It is critically important that we all teach our children that using, selling or trying to profit from drugs is ultimately an unhealthy choice.”