The BC Prosecution Service has approved charges related to two drug trafficking investigations on Vancouver Island carried out by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC).
In one of the investigations, charges have been approved against six people as part of a network with ties to the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.
The investigation began in January 2021, and the CFSEU-BC made arrests of the six members one year later in January 2022. During the arrest, police seized cocaine, around $160,000 in cash, several firearms, one vehicle and Hells Angels paraphernalia.
Charges have been approved against Jeff Scott Pasanen, a 59-year-old male from Comox; Randall James King, a 45-year-old male from Campbell River; Shawna Lynne Leblanc, a 48-year-old female from Comox; Peter Bruce Billie, a 37-year-old male from Comox; Jonathan Erin Clifford, a 41-year-old male from Courtenay; and Rhys Tyler Vernon Bolton, a 34-year-old male from Victoria.
Pasanen has been charged with one count each of instructing persons to commit an offence for a criminal organization, committing an offence for a criminal organization, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, and three counts of trafficking and possession for the purposes of trafficking cocaine.
King is charged with one count each of instructing persons to commit an offence for a criminal organization, committing an offence for a criminal organization, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, and two counts of trafficking and possession for the purposes of trafficking cocaine.
Leblanc is charged with one count each of committing an offence for a criminal organization, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and four counts of of trafficking and possession for the Purposes of Trafficking cocaine.
Billie is charged with one count each of committing an offence for a criminal organization, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and two counts of trafficking and possession for the purposes of trafficking a controlled substance.
Clifford is charged with one count each of participating in the activities of a criminal organization and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
Bolton is charged with one count of trafficking cocaine.
All six are set to appear in court at a later date for the charges against them.
The second investigation resulted in charges against three people.
The CFSEU-BC and North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP executed search warrants at a Duncan residence. During the search warrant, police seized drugs, firearms, cell phones, evidence to support drug trafficking and a substantial amount of money.
Now, charges have been approved against Jason Thomas Conrad, a 43-year-old male from Duncan, B.C.; Margaret Rose Conrad, a 45-year-old female from Duncan, B.C.; and Nicholas Doug Gollinger, a 38-year-old male from Duncan, B.C.
Each have been charged with possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking, possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking, and possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking.
All three will appear in court at a later date for the charges.
Laura Brougham
