A Courtenay man wanted in connection with a drug-trafficking network with apparent ties to the Hells Angels has been arrested after failing to appear in court earlier this month.
A warrant had been issued for the arrest of Jonathan Erin Clifford, 41, after he did not show up for a Feb. 1 court appearance.
He along with five other Islanders were charged last November following an investigation by the anti-gang Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C.
Clifford was linked to the unit’s investigation of an alleged drug-trafficking network with ties to the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.
The investigation led to four search warrants being executed in the Comox Valley and Campbell River areas in January 2022, resulting in six arrests and the seizure of drugs and weapons, as well as $160,000 in cash.
Five of the accused — Jeff Scott Pasanen, 59, of Comox; Shawna Lynne Leblanc, 48, of Comox; Peter Bruce Billie, 37, of Comox; Randall James King, 45, of Campbell River; and Rhys Tyler Vernon Bolton, 34, of Victoria — made appearances in court on charges including working on behalf of a criminal organization and were released.
Clifford has been released pending a court appearance, said Stephanie Bishop, spokesperson for the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C.
