ALERT: Springbrook man one of six charged for interprovincial drug network

Jul 13, 2023 | 3:15 PM

Six suspects, including one from Springbrook, are facing a total of 30 drug-related charges as part of Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) Lloydminster’s Project Deception.

Officials say the interprovincial drug trafficking investigation resulted in the seizure of over half a million dollars in drugs and cash.

ALERT Lloydminster says their organized crime and gang team arrested the suspects between June 13-22, 2023, while a warrant has been issued for one of the suspects who is believed to have fled the country.

Project Deception focused on disrupting an interprovincial drug trafficking network linked to Lloydminster, and had drug suppliers based in Edmonton and Kelowna. The investigation began in May 2021 and saw homes searched in Lloydminster, Edmonton, Springbrook, Alta., Kelowna, B.C., and Vernon, B.C.

“Project Deception has been a lengthy, complex investigation, which is reflected in the severity and scope of the charges being laid. These suspects allegedly supplied our communities with harmful drugs and now they will be held accountable before the courts,” said Sgt. Bruce Maclean of ALERT Lloydminster.

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ALERT first shared details of Project Deception at a news conference on June 23, 2022.

READ: Project Deception disrupts interprovincial drug network involving Springbrook

Charges against the suspects include drug trafficking and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence:

Jason Johnson, 37-year-old from Springbrook, Alta.;
Steven Rogan, 32-year-old from Lloydminster;
Petar Hristov, 28-year-old from Edmonton;
Kulwant Singh Bal, 44-year-old from Kelowna, B.C.;
Gary Dhami, 32-year-old from Kelowna, B.C.; and
Nikita Robertson, 26-year-old from Edmonton.

(Supplied)

Hristov is believed to have fled Canada and his whereabouts remain unknown. Anyone with information on Hristov is being asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

Petar Hristov, 28-year-old from Edmonton (Supplied)

Project Deception was a joint forces investigation in partnership with Lloydminster RCMP, British Columbia’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-BC), and RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime (FSOC).

by rdnewsNOW Staff

ALERT: Springbrook man one of six charged for interprovincial drug network

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