PRINCE ALBERT - Members of the Prince Albert Police Service Crime Reduction Team, with the assistance of the Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team, Proactive Policing Unit, and Patrol recently concluded a months-long investigation into the trafficking of illicit substances in Prince Albert.
Throughout the investigation, members of the Crime Reduction Team were able to obtain enough evidence to arrest a 36-year-old man.
He was arrested on Feb. 20 outside a city-owned facility in Prince Albert. Further investigation led to multiple Controlled Drug and Substances Act search warrants being executed at 38-1600 Muzzy Drive and a property west of Prince Albert. Two vehicles were also searched throughout the investigation.
Searches at those locations resulted in the following evidentiary seizures: More than three kilograms of cocaine; nearly nine kilograms of marijuana; five grams of MDMA; 75 grams of psilocybin; $1,505 CAD; various assortments of ammunition; five firearms; multiple cell phones; and other paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking.
A 40-year-old man was arrested while executing the search warrant at 38-1600 Muzzy Drive.
While conducting the search warrant at the property west of Prince Albert, officers observed a grow operation involving an estimated 100 cannabis plants. If this grow operation were to operate for a full year, it is estimated it could produce more than two million dollars worth of cannabis annually.
As a result of this investigation, the 36-year-old suspect and the 40-year-old suspect are facing charges relating to drug trafficking, multiple firearms offences, multiple Cannabis Act Offences, and possession of proceeds obtained by crime. Both men have made their first court appearance.
鈥淲e are proud of the work the Prince Albert Crime Reduction Team has done to hold criminals accountable and remove illicit drugs off our streets,鈥� Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said in the news release. 鈥淭his successful investigation is a clear example of how our specialized policing teams are keeping Saskatchewan communities safe, and we remain committed to supporting their efforts to tackle organized crime and disrupt drug trade.鈥�
The Prince Albert Police Service was assisted in this investigation by the Red Deer Crime Reduction Team, Edmonton Police Service Surveillance Team, as well as analytical assistance from the Saskatoon Police Service and the RCMP.
