Former Abbotsford gang associate Matthew "Matt" Schrader, now living in Kelowna, has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Schrader, 38, and his 23-year-old girlfriend Janay Pratt have been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking after the Kelowna RCMP Special Enforcement Team raided a luxury rental apartment on Feb. 9.

Police seized 33 grams of crack cocaine, three grams of heroin, a bottle of suspected methadone, 11 cellular phones and other paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking, said Kelowna RCMP Const. Kris Clark.

A 15-year-old boy was located living in the drug-filled apartment and the Ministry of Children has been notified, said Clark.

Schrader has links to several different organized gangs, said Clark.

"We know he has strong ties to several organized crime groups in the Lower Mainland as well as here in the Okanagan," he said.

Schrader, who reportedly moved to Kelowna around three years ago, has ties with Rob Shannon who got sentenced to 20 years behind bars in the U.S. for a large cross-border drug smuggling ring with links to Abbotsford and the Hells Angels.

Schrader also is tied to Rapinder "Rob" Sidhu, an ex-Mountie from Abbotsford, who was recently extradited to U.S. to face charges in the same smuggling ring.

Schrader has been released on strict court conditions and is scheduled to appear in Kelowna provincial court on April 15.

He is also scheduled to appear in Chilliwack provincial court on Feb 25. for charges both in that city and Abbotsford for driving while prohibited.

-with a file from Kim Bolan, Vancouver Sun.

RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com

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