VERNON – A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for the arrest of a Vernon man connected to a gambling a drug operation in southern Alberta.

Thomas John Ross, 46, of Vernon allegedly supplied large quantities of marijuana to the ‘Bookie Brothers’ Rodney and Kevin Garinger, 45 and 43, both from Alberta. Seventeen gambling and drug charges have been laid against the Garinger brothers.

The scheme was infiltrated by the Calgary Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit alongside the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission. The 21-month investigation revealed the brothers had profited hundreds of thousands of dollars from their illegal gambling and drug trafficking operation. Investigators estimate that in a recent 40-day period the pair pulled in $65,000 on hockey and football bets. Authorities also seized 10 pounds of marijuana worth over $45,000 on the street.

Ross remains at large and faces drug trafficking charges. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca, call (250)309-5230 or tweet @charhelston.