The Estevan Police Service's ongoing battle against the city's drug trade has netted another major bust.
The EPS and Regina Integrated Drug Unit recently completed a two-month investigation that culminated June 28 with charges against 10 people and the seizure of drugs and property.
According to a press release issued by the EPS, the investigation focused on "street and mid-level drug traffickers."
"We were going after traffickers but we also included, instead of just going at the high-end, mid-level and street level as well," said EPS Chief Del Block. "Trafficking is trafficking whether you are doing just a small amount or not. If you are selling drugs, you are a trafficker. We want to get that message out.
"There seems to be some people that are involved in the drug trade who think if you are just a small time dealer, nobody is going to do anything about it. But that is how you become a big time dealer."
Block noted that although the actual project ran for a two-month period, the investigative process took place over six months and involved officers from Estevan as well as the Integrated Drug Unit.
"(The drug unit's) services are so valued to us, it's with them that we have the success that we do," said Block. "They have specific investigational techniques that they use. They have resources, different people and access to other equipment we don't have. Mainly it's people because when you are using locals that are known, it's tough to do."
With their investigative work complete, the EPS, along with officers from the Drug Unit and the RCMP Integrated Border Enforcement Team, executed search warrants at residences on the 500 block of Bannatyne Avenue and the 1700 block of Third Street June 28.
Along with a handful of arrests, police also seized quantities of crack cocaine, marijuana and ecstasy as well as four vehicles. Charges of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime were laid against: Michael Baguma, 28; Naomi McArthur, 26; Gregory Beston, 23; Jason Lunn, 31; Hussein Daud, 28; Raven Engel, 19; Benjamin Decker, 24; Richard Stregger, 43; Dylan Hauck, 19 and Gerald Kanigan, 45. Kanigan also faces a theft charge.
Block said the execution of the warrants, as well as the arrests, went very smoothly.
"Number wise, there was 20 to 24 officers here. There was no resistance from anybody, no injuries to either side. There was property taken and a small amount of drugs found during the takedown," said Block who added he hopes the seizure of the four vehicles will send a message to those involved with drug dealing.
"If you are trafficking, you stand to lose this property. If it's offence relate property, under the new regulations, you are going to lose that stuff."
Last week's bust is the latest in a series of major arrests by the EPS dating back two to three years. Block said they will continue to target the drug trade moving forward.
"It will remain a focus here in town and we will continue to go after traffickers."
