FORT ST. JOHN -- A two-year investigation, starting June 2022, has disrupted high-risk individuals in Northeast B.C. involved in organized crime and gang activity.

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) investigation, spanning across the Peace Region, has resulted in charges against 19 suspects, eight of whom remain at large.

The wanted men are all from Fort St. John, and range in age from 28 to 49.

Cody Grendus is wanted on 11 charges, including seven counts of trafficking a controlled substance.

Josh Malanowich faces 12 charges, with six counts related to the careless use of a firearm.

William McLennan is wanted for possession and trafficking, while 49-year-old Joseph Sandeson faces 12 counts on drug and firearm-related offenses.

Miles Savard, Brandon Stuckless, Daniel Tshimba, and Sheldon Horne, also all face outstanding warrants for drug trafficking.

The other 11 suspects have been arrested, with nine released on conditions and two remaining in custody.

A total of 91 charges were laid after a number of search warrants were executed, resulting in the seizure of kilograms of cocaine, methamphetamine, psychedelic mushrooms, marijuana, and contraband cigarettes.

Police also seized $165,000 in cash, 34 firearms ranging from handguns, shotguns and rifles, five vehicles, and prohibited weapons.

CFSEU-BC credited several other departments for aiding in the investigation, primarily the Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, and Northern Rockies RCMP detachments.

“We worked with a number of the Peace Region RCMP detachments in order to identify and target individuals that were causing harm in their communities due to their involvement in the drug trade and often the associated violence that accompanies it,” said Sergeant Brenda Winpenny, Media Relations Officer with the CFSEU-BC in a statement to CJDC-TV.

The unit's ability to travel to different jurisdictions allowed them to follow suspects where local police couldn't coordinate.

“The individuals associated with the drug trade conduct their business wherever it is most lucrative for them and are not bound by jurisdiction, often traveling to neighboring communities on a regular basis." Said Winpenny.

The seizure is expected to put a dent in the local drug supply, with police saying the 19 people arrested are allegedly low-level drug dealers.

However, investigators have not yet connected these arrests to the string of violence and murders in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, believed to be linked to an illicit drug turf war.

“Part of the overall strategy to target these individuals or groups includes deploying our Uniform Gang Enforcement Team to areas of the province that need assistance in suppressing the drug trade and often violent activity,” said Winpenny.

The City of Dawson Creek also released a statement on the arrests, telling CJDC, "When it comes to these regional cases, we're thankful for the commitment shown by all the enforcement units involved, and we're hopeful this collaboration will lead to even more progress in solving crimes across our area."

The CFSEU-BC encourages those with information on outstanding suspects or any individuals who may pose a threat to the community due to the drug trade to contact local police or submit an anonymous tip via Crime Stoppers.