SASKATOON - Cocaine and meth were seized by the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region and Saskatoon Police Service in a large drug bust in Saskatoon.
On Aug. 1, following a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act investigation, RCMP Federal Policing Federal Serious and Organized Crime – Northwest Region, in collaboration with the Saskatoon Police Service’s Tactical Support Unit and Crisis Negotiation Team, as well as the Saskatoon Integrated Intelligence Unit and RCMP Pacific Region Federal Policing, executed search warrants at two homes and on two vehicles in the area of Shillington Crescent and the Eastview neighbourhood in Saskatoon.
The following items were seized as part of this investigation: approximately 26 kg of suspected methamphetamine; approximately one kg of suspected heroine; approximately nine kg of suspected cocaine; other smaller quantities of believed illicit drugs, including Psilocybin (mushrooms); approximately one kg of suspected MDMA; more than 1,000 Xanax pills; and approximately $43,000 in cash.
“Our partnership with our municipal policing partners and federal counterparts played a key role in this successful investigation,” said Insp. Richard Pickering of RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region. “We know that the reach of illicit drugs impacts all corners of Canada and bring with it a host of other criminal activities and social issues to our communities. This is just one example of how multiple agencies can come together to jointly investigate safety threats impacting Canadians, remove dangerous drugs from our streets and bring those responsible to justice.”
Superintendent of Operational Support Dale Solie said that partnering with the RCMP to disrupt the supply chain of illicit drugs and investigate interprovincial crime is of "incredible importance to the Saskatoon Police Service."
"While this seizure was made in Saskatoon, together with our federal policing partners, we share a common objective to prevent illicit drugs from flowing further into Saskatchewan communities. We're proud to have supported that objective through this investigation," he said.
Edwin Covaci, 39, from Saskatoon, is charged with: possessing (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking; proceeds (cash over $5,000) obtained by crime.
Nicolas Franke, 31, from Saskatoon, is charged with: possessing (methamphetamine) for the purpose of trafficking; possessing (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking; possessing (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) for the purpose of trafficking; and possessing (psilocybin) for the purpose of trafficking.
Covaci and Franke are scheduled to appear in Saskatoon Provincial Court Sept. 19.
This criminal investigation continues.
