A high-profile gang associate is being charged with trafficking after police found crack and other drugs in his luxury apartment.
RCMP raided the high-end suite in the 1300 block of Ellis Street two weeks ago. Officers seized 33 grams of crack cocaine, three grams of heroin, a bottle of suspected methadone, 11 cellphones and drug-trafficking equipment.
Police arrested Matt Schrader, 38, and his girlfriend Janay Pratt, 23. A 15-year-old boy was living with them, prompting police to alert social workers. An RCMP spokesman didn't know where the boy is now.
The couple are both charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking. They're out on bail and make their next court appearance April 15.
Schrader is linked to several organized-crime groups, say police.
He moved from Abbotsford to Kelowna four years ago and has associated with many Fraser Valley gangsters, including Elliott (Taco) Castaneda, a member of the UN gang who was shot dead in Mexico in 2009.
He was also close to Rob Shannon, who's serving a 20-year sentence in the U.S. for taking part in a large drug-smuggling scheme linked to the Hells Angels.
Police arrested Schrader in late 2010 and seized cocaine, body armour, a semi-automatic handgun, ammunition and $7,000 cash.
The Crown stayed the charges in Kelowna months later.
It's believed the officers failed to acquire the search warrant properly.