CANORA- The Canora/Sturgis RCMP responded to 34 calls from Feb. 9 to Feb. 15, some of which included: four 911 calls, one assault with a weapon, one breach of peace, four break-and-enters, one Child Welfare Act call, two Coroners Act calls, one failure to comply with probation order, one Fire Prevention Act Call, one fraud, three Mental Health Act calls, two mischiefs, two other provincial calls, one suspicious person, one theft, four traffic offenses, two uttering threats, and two wellbeing checks.
Multiple drug overdoses
Saskatchewan RCMP is warning the public of the presence of dangerous illicit drugs in the south and southeast areas of Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan RCMP officers responded to three fatal overdoses involving suspected methamphetamine or fentanyl in the past week.
• On Feb. 9, Assiniboia RCMP responded to a report of an unresponsive man found in a residence in Assiniboia. EMS declared the 21-year-old man deceased at the scene. Police officers found crystals and an off-white powder at the scene suspected to be methamphetamine (meth) or fentanyl.
• On Feb. 13 Moosomin RCMP responded to a report of an unresponsive man found in a hotel room in Moosomin. EMS and police officers attempted CPR but the 22-year-old man was declared deceased at the scene. Police officers found a light-coloured powder at the scene suspected to contain methamphetamine (meth) or fentanyl.
• On Feb. 14, Canora/Sturgis RCMP responded to a report of an unresponsive woman found outside a residence in Preeceville. The 50-year-old female was taken to the Preeceville Hospital by EMS where she was pronounced deceased. Police officers found a white powder at the scene suspected to contain methamphetamine (meth) or fentanyl.
Through police investigation, the illicit drugs suspected to have been consumed prior to the three fatal overdoses are believed to be methamphetamine (meth) or fentanyl made available to the public in a powder form.
Autopsies and toxicology analyses will be performed by the Saskatchewan Coroners Service to confirm the nature and role of the illicit drugs in the suspected overdoses.
Saskatchewan RCMP is urging the public who consumes illicit drugs to take special precautions when using:
• Never use alone;
• Let someone you trust know of your plans to use;
• Always carry a Naloxone kit. They are available free of charge at many locations in the province, and
• Call 911 if you suspect an overdose is occurring.
For more information on ways to protect yourself, or someone you know, when using illicit drugs, read the article available online, Saskatchewan RCMP renews warnings about the dangers of illicit drugs after recent overdoses.
Shoplifter investigation
On Feb. 9, the Canora/Sturgis RCMP received a report of shoplifting at the Sturgis Co-op. On two occasions a male entered the store and stole a bottle of vodka and returned for a can of butane. Police have identified a suspect and continue to investigate.
In need of medical care
The Canora/Sturgis RCMP received a call on Feb. 9 from a male in Sturgis. The male reported hearing people walking on his roof and around the house. Police attended the complaint and determined the male required medical attention and took him to the hospital.
Unwanted visitor
The Canora/Sturgis RCMP responded to a report of an unwanted person at a residence in Canora on Feb. 10. Police attended and arrested an intoxicated female who had walked into the residence and fell asleep on the couch.
Dangerous male
On Feb. 11, the Canora/Sturgis RCMP were dispatched to a weapons complaint in Preeceville. A male had threatened two people inside a home with a knife. The male was held down and the knife was taken away from him. The male was charged with assault with a weapon.
Pig barn fire
The Canora/Sturgis RCMP were dispatched on Feb. 12 to a pig barn fire in the RM of Preeceville. The building burned to the ground. Approximately 10,000 pigs died in the fire. The Canora/Sturgis RCMP are assisting the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency with the investigation.
Concerned mother
The Canora/Sturgis RCMP received a phone call from a female wanting to report her adult daughter for drinking alcohol on Feb. 13. Police determined no offence occurred and further police involvement was not required.
False alarm
On Feb. 14, the Canora/Sturgis RCMP were dispatched to a possible break-and-enter in progress at a residence in Preeceville. Police attended and determined no break-and-enter occurred. The suspicious behaviour observed was a resident of the home using a flashlight when leaving for work in the morning.
Drug-related death
The Canora/Sturgis RCMP were dispatched to a report of an unresponsive female found outside a residence in Preeceville on Feb. 14. The female was taken to the Preeceville Hospital by EMS where she was pronounced deceased. Pending final results of an autopsy and toxicology, preliminary indication is that methamphetamine (meth) or fentanyl is a contributing factor.
Report tips and information
If you have any information about these or any other crimes, or any substances involved in these incidents, please contact the Canora RCMP at 306-563-4700, or you can also report anonymously via Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
Call the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment Turn In Poachers & Polluters (TIPP) Line, toll-free, at 1-800-667-7561 or #5555 from a SaskTel cellphone (phone calls only, no text messages).
