Drugs seized as part of Project Radar, January 2023. (Photo: RD News Now)

By Josh Hall

Major meth and fentanyl bust made in Red Deer and Lloydminster

Feb 1, 2023 | 1:56 PM

RED DEER, AB – Red Deer and Lloydminster are the two focal points of a major methamphetamine and fentanyl seizure, according to Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT).

Known as Project Radar, the bust has resulted in the seizure of $335,000 worth of drugs.

Starting in Red Deer in June 2021, Project Radar was a 1.5-year long investigation by ALERT Red Deer’s organized crime team, and focused on disrupting drug trafficking activity in central Alberta. Nearly four kilograms of meth was seized along with 523 grams of fentanyl powder and $1,500 in cash.

The investigation eventually expanded to Lloydminster as the group being investigated reportedly demonstrated that it had ties to that city’s drug market.

ALERT Inspector Brad Lundeen says, “These are wholesale trafficking amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl, and these drugs would’ve ultimately ended up in the community and surrounding communities to be trafficked.”

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“My concern is the higher volumes of what I’d call these street drugs,” Lundeen adds. “We’re also seeing them in combination with each other, so many seizures over the past year, we’ve seen methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine all together in the same location or being trafficked by the same group. Historically, seizures are more commodity-specific.”

Lundeen also clarified that two Red Deer homes searched as part of this investigation were in the north end and downtown. The drugs were not manufactured in these homes. During those searches, two suspects were arrested while another person remains wanted on warrants.

The most recent arrest, they said, took place on January 17, 2023, with ALERT receiving help from Red Deer RCMP and B.C.’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) Prince George.

Jaydon Harrison, 24, of Prince George, and Nikita Robertson, 24, of Edmonton, are each charged with multiple counts of drug trafficking. Harrison, who was arrested in Prince George, is scheduled to appear in court on February 21, 2023, while Robertson will be in court on February 16.

Meanwhile, a warrant has been issued for Katie Gowanlock, as pictured below. The 40-year-old is charged with 10 counts of drug trafficking and is believed to be in the central Alberta area.

Katie Gowanlock, 40, is wanted in connection to drug trafficking offences. (Photo: RD News Now)

“In this case, there isn’t a known street gang, though trafficking and drugs involve organized crime activity and multiple people,” added Lundeen.

Red Deer RCMP’s officer in charge, Holly Glassford, also stated that the effects of drugs influence rates of property crimes and persons crimes.

“The impact this investigation has on the safety of the community is huge when we see a project of this magnitude,” says Glassford.

ALERT also clarified that none of the three accused have been involved in past ALERT investigations.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

ALERT is holding a news conference later this week to speak with the media about the investigation.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now