45 charges laid against 5 suspects in Kamloops drug and gun investigation

CTV News

20 hours ago

Police shared these images of the seized items. (Kamloops RCMP)
A total of 45 charges have been laid against five people following what police called an 'extensive investigation into drug trafficking and firearms offences' in Kamloops, B.C.
The charges stem from a 'major enforcement operation' that began in September 2023 and continued through April 2024, Kamloops RCMP said in a news release Thursday.
'The investigation involved a comprehensive strategy and culminated in the execution of search warrants at Scott's Inn Motel and a residence on Dallas Drive,' the release reads.
During the searches, police seized 'approximately five kilograms of illicit substances, including cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl,' four loaded handguns, three loaded shotguns, a carbine rifle, a taser, digital scales, cellphones, 'trafficking materials' and roughly $60,000 in cash.
The Public Prosecution Service of Canada approved the 45 charges this week, according to Mounties. The five people charged are Justin Robert Ferrier, Kirsty Elizabeth Johnson, Ashley Rose Robinson, Justin Anthony Coughlan St. Arnault and Yasmine Alyssia Parra.
Ferrier faces the largest number of charges, with 13. Twelve of those are joint charges with Robinson.
Johnson faces 12 charges, while St. Arnault faces five, three of which are shared with Parra.
According to online court records, Ferrier and Robinson are charged jointly with:
six counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking
two counts of careless use or storage of a firearm
two counts of unauthorized possession of a non-firearm weapon
one count of possessing a loaded or unloaded prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition
and one count possessing a firearm with an altered serial number
Ferrier is additionally charged with possessing a firearm contrary to an order.
Johnson faces six counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, four counts of possessing a firearm without a licence or registration, one count of careless use or storage of a firearm and one count of possessing a firearm contrary to an order.
The joint charges against St. Arnault and Parra are possession for the purpose of trafficking, careless use or storage of a firearm and possessing a loaded or unloaded prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition.
St. Arnault faces one additional count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, plus a charge of dealing with an identity document without a lawful excuse.
Ferrier and Robinson are scheduled to make their first appearance in Kamloops provincial court on Aug. 25, while Johnson is scheduled to appear on Sept. 4 and St. Arnault and Parra are scheduled to appear on Sept. 15.
Police said the investigation was part of 'Project EPARALYSIS,' an operation targeting 'drug distribution networks connected to local motels and residences.'
The Kamloops RCMP Targeted Enforcement Unit led the investigation.
'This enforcement operation represents a substantial disruption to entrenched drug trafficking networks operating in Kamloops,' said Supt. Jeff Pelley, Kamloops RCMP detachment commander, in the release.