Project Glacier Dismantles Criminal Organization, Six Charged

Canada FINTRAC News & Advisories

Filed March 13th, 2025

Detected March 16th, 2026

Summary

ALERT's Project Glacier investigation concluded with six individuals charged for drug trafficking and organized crime offences in Grande Prairie. Over $283,000 in drugs and cash were seized, including firearms.

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What changed

ALERT has charged six individuals in connection with Project Glacier, a two-year investigation into a criminal organization allegedly involved in drug trafficking in Grande Prairie and the British Columbia Peace Region. Doug Wheeler is alleged to be the head of this organization. The investigation resulted in the seizure of approximately $283,000 in drugs and cash, including two firearms. The accused face a total of 22 criminal charges.

This enforcement action highlights the risks associated with organized crime and drug trafficking. While specific compliance actions for regulated entities are not detailed, financial institutions and other reporting entities should remain vigilant for suspicious activities related to drug trafficking and organized crime, as FINTRAC was involved in the investigation's support. The accused are scheduled for their first court appearance on May 26, 2025.

What to do next

Review FINTRAC's guidance on identifying and reporting suspicious transactions related to drug trafficking and organized crime.
Ensure internal controls are robust to detect and report potential money laundering activities supporting criminal organizations.
Stay informed on evolving organized crime typologies and their potential impact on reporting obligations.

Penalties

Six individuals charged with a combined 22 criminal offences, including instructing the commission of an offence from a criminal organization and conspiracy to traffic drugs. Penalties will be determined through the judicial process.

Source document (simplified)

2025| Grande Prairie Grande Prairie… Six people have been charged in an extensive organized crime investigation in Grande Prairie. ALERT alleges the group was involved in drug trafficking throughout the surrounding area.

Project Glacier was a two-year investigation led by ALERT Grande Prairie’s organized crime team. The investigation concluded on March 13, 2025 with six suspects being charged with a combined 22 criminal offences.

ALERT alleges that Doug Wheeler was the head of the criminal organization. The 42-year-old from Wembley, Alta. has been charged with instructing the commission of an offence from a criminal organization and conspiracy to traffic drugs, amongst other offences.

ALERT alleges that Wheeler and his associates were involved in drug trafficking offences in Grande Prairie and the British Columbia Peace Region. ALERT seized over a quarter million dollars’ worth of drugs during the course of the investigation.

“Doug Wheeler was allegedly the head of a criminal organization that was deeply rooted in Grande Prairie and beyond. Drug trafficking, linked to his group, would have caused considerable community harm,” said Insp. Brad Lundeen, ALERT.
Other suspects arrested included:

Joseph Collicutt, 38-year-old from Grande Prairie;
Jesse Lukac, 31-year-old from Grande Prairie;
Patrick Arcand, 26-year-old from Sexsmith;
Cody Steven Yanishewski, 27-year-old from Grande Prairie; and
Shannon Pearse, 31-year-old from Grande Prairie.

ALERT seized approximately $283,000 in drugs and cash, including:

Two firearms;
2,219 grams of cocaine;
319 grams of cocaine buffing agents;
1,110 illicit opioid pills; and
Various amounts of illegal steroids.

One of the firearms, a loaded handgun, had previously been reported as stolen. The seized firearms will be sent to ALERT’s Provincial Firearms Solutions Lab for ballistics testing and analysis.

All of the accused are scheduled to make their first court appearance on May 26, 2025 in Grande Prairie.

Project Glacier began in November 2022 and relied on the assistance of a number of partner agencies, including: Grande Prairie RCMP, Grande Prairie Police Service, Public Prosecution Services Canada, Alberta Registries Special Investigations unit, Forensic Accounting Management Group (FAMG), Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.