Noel Harder risked his life as a secret police agent, then spent three years testifying as the star witness against drug dealers, gun runners, mobsters and the Hells Angels.

Today he’s a marked man with an apparent $2-million bounty on his head.

And he’s on his own.

The RCMP kicked Harder out of the federal Witness Protection Program last month and, by his account, reneged on one promise after another.

These aren't just the words of a man labelled a "rat" and "snitch" after his double life was exposed; Harder served as the inside man on Project Forseti, the largest organized crime investigation in Saskatchewan history.

His allegations appear to be supported in a series of texts he received from a high-ranking Saskatoon police officer and a top federal Justice Department official.

"I'd never ever try to talk someone into going the agent route. It's a joke," the officer told Harder in a recent text obtained by CBC News.

Harder is not going quietly. He agreed to an interview with CBC News at a secret location. Those who want him dead already know what he looks like, he said, and they may even know where he is.

"There's a good chance that I'm gonna be killed. I'm just trying to get things sorted out for my family before that happens," Harder said.

"Somebody needs to listen to this, to look into this so police don’t do this to other people."

Both the RCMP and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale declined interview requests, saying they don't comment on witness protection cases.

Goodale did, however, send a letter to Harder through his lawyer in Regina on May 7, warning that disclosure of "certain witness protection information" in open court could lead to five years in prison.

CBC

The RCMP ejected Harder from the WPP following numerous unspecified "breaches" of his agreement, according to documents.



Harder said some violations were minor while others were fabricated. He said the RCMP broke countless promises made to him and his family.

Specifically, Harder alleges the RCMP and the federal government:

Failed to pay Harder the full $300,000 negotiated in exchange for four years of co-operation in Project Forseti.

Failed to care for his business assets, home, possessions and pets, as promised.

Left Harder and his family in "Emergency Protection" for 540 days before they were given new identities and admitted to the full Witness Protection Program. The maximum outlined under federal law is 180 days.

Ejected him from the WPP after the Forseti prosecutions ended in May, even though he says they know he remains in danger.

"They tricked me and my family into doing something on absolutely false pretences. It seems like they can just get away with it … they screwed me," he said. Some of these allegations appear in court documents filed by Harder's lawyer in a lawsuit against the RCMP.

Harder met with CBC's Jason Warick in a secret location. (Chanss Lagaden/CBC)

Harder met with CBC's Jason Warick in a secret location. (Chanss Lagaden/CBC)

Other issues are detailed in transcripts Harder said he made after his negotiations with the Mounties. Still others appear to be corroborated by the texts shared with CBC News.



In one text, the federal justice official wrote Harder to say they've been told not to contact him. The official pledges to help anyway, discussing plans to track down Harder's assets being held by the RCMP in Regina.

"I haven't told police anything, except when I thought it would help you," wrote the official. "Let me know if you need me.… It is, as you know, not always easy to get answers.… I will keep at this situation," one message reads.

In another series of texts, the Saskatoon police officer blasts the RCMP and thanks Harder for his service.

"I'm sorry this is happening to you, buddy. Makes me sick … you did a great thing for Saskatoon."

In an interview, Saskatoon Police Service Supt. Dave Haye noted that the RCMP is in charge of the Witness Protection Program.

Haye said he's aware of the Saskatoon officer's texts to Harder. He said officers sometimes say things to keep a witness happy.

"It's a relationship dance."

But when asked if the officer was lying to Harder when he called the Witness Protection Program a “joke,” Haye replied, "We don't lie to witnesses."

Insiders like Harder come with a "boatload" of issues, Haye said.

But he said Harder did give them an inside look at this criminal world, took good notes and was well-prepared for court.

Police across Saskatchewan and Alberta seized guns and drugs, including significant amounts of counterfeit oxycontin and methamphetamine as part of Project Forseti. (CBC)

Police across Saskatchewan and Alberta seized guns and drugs, including significant amounts of counterfeit oxycontin and methamphetamine as part of Project Forseti. (CBC)

Bags of heroin, crystal meth, fake oxycontin and cocaine were seized in the raids. (CBC)

Bags of heroin, crystal meth, fake oxycontin and cocaine were seized in the raids. (CBC)

Police seized about 200 firearms, including prohibited and restricted firearms in Project Forseti (CBC)

Police seized about 200 firearms, including prohibited and restricted firearms in Project Forseti (CBC)

In a joint interview, federal Crown prosecutors Lynn Hintz and Doug Curliss noted Harder helped convict high-level drug and gun traffickers, as well as organized crime figures.



"So, yes, there is concern for his safety," Hintz said.

Saskatoon lawyer Nicholas Stooshinoff defended some of those charged in Project Forseti. He said police "were sold a bill of goods" by Harder.

Stooshinoff called Harder one of the highest level criminals in the city, referring to him a narcissist and a sociopath.

"He's always been a drug dealer. He's always been a snitch … he's always been embellishing his own image," Stooshinoff said.