Federal prosecutors approved charges against 19 people, eight of them still at large, after an investigation into what police call a violent drug trafficking ring in northeastern British Columbia.

A statement from BC’s Combined Task Force Enforcement Unit says two of the 11 people who were arrested remain in custody, while the others have been released with conditions as they move through the court process.

It says the other eight, all men, are wanted on pending charges including trafficking, possession of a restricted firearm and negligent use or storage of a weapon.

The unit says it began an investigation in June 2022, working alongside police in Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and Fort Nelson to address alleged drug trafficking and “violent activity” that threatens public safety.

It says the execution of search warrants in several communities in the Peace Region between October 2022 and January 2023 revealed illicit drugs and weapons and led to the arrest of 23 people who were released while prosecutors considered charges.

The unit says Canada’s Public Prosecution Service approved charges this month against 19 people ranging in age from 24 to 63.

The investigation “unveiled an alleged drug trafficking network that causes significant damage to communities in the Peace Region,” said Sgt. Brenda Winpenny of the combined special forces unit said in the statement issued Wednesday.

Several of the defendants face one count of drug possession or trafficking, while a Fort St. John man faces seven trafficking charges.

Police are asking for the public’s help in locating the eight men at large, and anyone with information is asked to call local police or Crime Stoppers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 30, 2024.