1 more arrested in connection with Centennial Square drug trafficking investigation

1 more arrested in connection with Centennial Square drug trafficking investigation
File photo/CHEK
Homeless individuals camp at Centennial Square in downtown Victoria.

Victoria police said Friday that one more person had been arrested in connection with the drug trafficking investigation at Centennial Square.

Fifteen men and two women are facing a total of 18 drug trafficking charges following an undercover investigation in Centennial Square. 

Police had announced on Wednesday that five people had been arrested, followed by another five people on Thursday.

From Aug. 11 to 15, undercover officers posed as customers and purchased drugs from tents located in Centennial Square.

Police said the drugs included methamphetamine, cocaine, psilocybin and fentanyl.

According to police, officers learned during the investigation that several tents were used primarily for drug trafficking on a rotating basis.

“Officers observed that one day a tent would be used for drug transactions, while the next day bedding would be moved into the tent for someone to sleep in. The following day, the bedding would be removed and the same tent would revert to being used for drug trafficking,” a release from VicPD said. 

While doing surveillance throughout the investigation, officers saw one of the suspects allegedly leave a residence, drive to Centennial Square and park a block away.

The suspect then allegedly went to a tent in the square. Police said the tent was set up to conduct drug trafficking.

“Additional surveillance led VicPD officers to stop a man who had entered Centennial Square with a concealed weapon. When officers spoke to the man, he remarked that he was armed with a concealed metal club as protection against the violence in Centennial Square,” VicPD said. 

Undercover officers also reported that they experienced threats of violence while working in Centennial Square, police said. 

Police have named some of the people arrested:

Jamaal Ali Johnson, a 41-year-old Victoria man, is charged with trafficking a controlled substance.

Desaree Gloria-Lee Solley, a 35-year-old Victoria woman, is charged with trafficking a controlled substance.

Tomas Paul Podhora, a 28-year-old Victoria man, is charged with trafficking a controlled substance.

Christopher John Ferland, a 31-year-old Victoria man, is charged with trafficking a controlled substance.

Julian Michael Peterson, a 23-year-old Victoria man, is charged with trafficking a controlled substance. Release stipulations will include conditions not to attend Centennial Square, police said. 

Six people remain on outstanding warrants.

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