A four month investigation, dubbed Project E-NARTHEX, undertaken by the Castlegar Crime Reduction Unit has resulted in six drug traffickers being arrested and charged with a number of offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Inspector Nick Romanchuk, the Officer in Charge of Kootenay Boundary Regional Detachment says, “We have had numerous discussions with the Mayor and Councillors in the City of Castlegar as well as other community members and the message we have been given loud and clear is that drug trafficking is not to be tolerated. We have focused our resources towards those individuals involved in the illicit drug trade and will continue to do so. The work done by the members of the Crime Reduction Unit in this investigation is nothing short of phenomenal.
The feedback we are receiving through our investigations is that we are being very effective.”
The following individuals have been charged:
1. Larry Michael FEDOR, a 45 year-old Castlegar resident - Trafficking in Cocaine
2. Ashley Patrick KOFTINOFF, a 36 year-old Castlegar resident - Trafficking in Cocaine
3. Travis Randall MACDERMID, a 22 year-old Castlegar resident - Trafficking in Cocaine
4. Kenneth Gavin KURENOFF, a 19 year-old Castlegar resident - Trafficking in Cocaine
5. Andrew Lee CANCELA, a 27 year-old Castlegar resident - Trafficking in Cocaine
In addition, a warrant for the arrest of a 20 year-old female resident of Fruitvale has been issued for the offence of trafficking in MDMA (ecstacy).
Several of the accused individuals were to appear in Castlegar Provincial Court on December 14.
Please direct any inquiries to Corporal Darryl Orr at 250-365-7721.
Inspector Nick Romanchuk
Officer in Charge
Kootenay Boundary Regional Detachment