Man arrested after Prince George police destroy sophisticated IED

On the afternoon of May 19th, 2011, members of the Prince George RCMP’s Crime Reduction Team with assistance of both the Downtown Enforcement Unit and Drug Section, executed a Criminal Code search warrant on an isolated rural property on Alpine Drive, east of Prince George. The investigation centered around firearms.

Upon execution of the warrant, police officers located a sophisticated improvised explosive device on the property. The officers immediately evacuated the area and established a safe perimeter.

Members of the BC RCMP’s Explosive Disposal Unit were flown in to Prince George to dispose of the device.

On the morning of May 20th, 2011, the improvised explosive device was detonated by the Explosive Disposal Unit at a safe location near by.

The search of the property continued. Investigators located a .22 calibre handgun, a stun gun and a quantity of cocaine and marijuana on the property.

Edward Thomas HARRIS, a 28 year old Prince George resident is facing multiple Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act charges as a result of the warrant. Recommended charges include:

– Possession of an Explosive Substance Without Lawful Excuse
– Possession of an Explosive Substance While Prohibited
– Possession of a Firearm Without Licence
– Possession of a Firearm While Prohibited
– Possession of Ammunition While Prohibited
– Possession of a "Stun Gun" Conducted Energy Weapon While Prohibited
– Possession of a Controlled Substance x2

HARRIS has been remanded in custody until his first court appearance scheduled for May 24th, 2011.

At the time of his arrest, HARRIS was wanted on a British Columbia wide warrant for Possession of Property Obtained by Crime stemming from the investigation and seizure of a stolen skid steer type tractor valued at approximately $60,000, earlier in 2011.