Project Glacier dismantles Grande Prairie criminal organization

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 Yanishewski, 27-year-old from Grande Prairie; and
• Shannon Pearse, 31-year-old from Wembley.

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

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.