REGINA – Almost $900,000 seized in a traffic stop last fall has been forfeited.
Back on the morning of Sept. 1, 2022, the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol were conducting a commercial traffic inspection just east of Regina. Officers noted some commercial vehicle violations, and conducted a search the semi. This search yielded interesting results, in particular two large duffel bags and a black canvas bag of interest.
“The duffle bags were each filled with a sum of cash in clear, vacuum sealed plastic bags,” said RCMP in a media release. “The black canvas shopping bag contained two packages, both containing a sum of cash. The cash was packaged in a way that was consistent with organized crime.”
The items were seized by officers for further investigation, and the two occupants of the semi were arrested without incident.
In total, $897,540 in Canadian currency was forfeited to police, and through investigation, officers determined the occupants of the semi (who were released that evening without being charged) were driving to Headingly, MB.
“Over the coming months, officers initiated an investigation into the proceeds seized, which included conducting background checks, drafting judicial authorizations, and examining evidence collected from the scene,” RCMP said.
On March 30, the Provincial Crown applied for civil forfeiture of the assets seized. Regina King’s Bench Court deemed the proceeds were the result of unlawful activity, and ordered the money be forfeited to the Saskatchewan Civil Forfeiture Program, thus concluding the investigation.
"Crime does not pay in Saskatchewan," Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Christine Tell said back in March, 2022 when the program received a $1.66 million investment from the provincial government. "That's the message we want to send as we work to seize ill-gotten gains from criminals and reinvest them into our police services and community partners."
Through that program, funds seized are distributed to police operations, the Victims’ Fund, and community programming.
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