SASKATOON – Two men arrested Wednesday by the gang unit and the organized crime unit made their first court appearance in Saskatoon Provincial Court Friday.
Forty-year-old Gregory Friesen of Asquith and 26-year-old Austin Derkatz of Red Deer are facing numerous weapons and drug related charges following an ongoing investigation by police into illegal activity in the Asquith area.
On Dec. 8, Saskatchewan RCMP officers searched a vehicle and residence in Asquith in relation to the investigation, which was led by Saskatchewan RCMP’s Saskatoon Crime Reduction Team (CRT). The Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit, the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team, Digital Forensic Services and the Warman RCMP Detachment assisted.
Friesen was charged with four counts of failing to comply with a firearms prohibition, possession of a stolen firearm, unauthorized possession of a restricted firearm, possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition, unsafe storage of a firearm, possession of property obtained by crime, and four counts of failing to comply with a release order.
Derkatz was charged with unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition, unsafe storage of a firearm, and possession of property obtained by crime.
Officers located and seized drug trafficking paraphernalia, two firearms (one loaded) and a replica firearm.
“The Saskatoon CRT is committed to disrupting criminal activity and making our communities safer,” says Sgt. Kory Davidsen of the Saskatoon CRT. “Illegally-possessed firearms have no place in our communities. I’m pleased that, in partnership with other Saskatchewan RCMP resources, we were able to take these firearms off the streets.”
Derkatz and Friesen both have show cause hearings scheduled in Saskatoon Provincial Court on Dec. 14.
