Delta Police are raising awareness of a prolific offender recently arrested by Surrey RCMP who is connected to another investigation here in Delta.
According to Surrey RCMP, on Nov. 18 at approximately 2:15 a.m. officers were conducting patrols in the 9100-block of King George Boulevard when they recognized a male from a previous incident who was wanted on outstanding warrants from Delta and Langley. Subsequently, a loaded firearm was located on the man.
Ryan Michael Harker, 42, of Langley, has been charged with five firearms related offences, one count of obstruction and one count of breach of release order.
Harker remains in custody awaiting his next court appearance.
The warrant of arrest from Delta pertained to a February 2021 arrest related to drug trafficking when Delta Police arrested two individuals in a stolen SUV at the intersection of 96th Avenue and 128th Street in Surrey. A subsequent search revealed evidence linking one of the individuals to drug trafficking.
Following their arrest, the pair was released from custody, awaiting further investigation. This included the lab analysis of the seized drugs and an expert review of the evidence. It wasn’t until September 2021, that charges of possession of stolen property and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking were officially filed against Harker.
Subsequently, an additional 26 months have elapsed since the charges were approved, and as of now, trial dates still have not been scheduled.
“Delta Police are drawing attention to the fact that Mr. Harker has been facing a drug trafficking charge for 26 months, while awaiting trial, he was arrested with a loaded firearm,” said Acting Insp. James Sandberg, media relations officer for Delta Police. “This raises concerns for public safety given the original charge has yet to go through the court process.”
