WEYBURN – RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime (FSOC) Saskatchewan in partnership with the Regina Police Service, launched an inter-provincial drug trafficking investigation on March 30, targeting a prolific drug network supplying large amounts of illicit drugs across Western Canada.
Throughout the year, investigators worked together to collect and corroborate information required to identify the persons responsible and their locations and the scope of the criminal activities involved.
On May 11 and 12, 2023, RCMP FSOC Saskatchewan executed six search warrants and arrested the individuals directly involved in the inter-provincial drug trafficking investigation. The search warrants were executed in Weyburn and Moose Jaw, SK; and Vancouver and Burnaby, BC. In total, 10 individuals were arrested without incident and 54 Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act charges have been laid. In Weyburn, 41-year-old Jamie Neufeld has been charged.
As a result of this investigation, officers have seized for evidence approximately 3.36 kg of MDMA, 8.95 kg of cocaine and 28.17 kg of methamphetamine. The cocaine seized has been tested and resulted in purity levels as high as 97 per cent. This seizure will disrupt the supply of illicit, lethal drugs destined for distribution across Canada – particularly Saskatchewan.
“This investigation has demonstrated the presence of illicit drugs in small towns and rural areas – it is not strictly a big city issue. When we look at the impact of drug trafficking in our communities, there is violence and property crime. We know the abuse of drugs fuels deadly addictions which ruin the lives of Canadians every day – this is evident in the information we have released about fatal overdoses in our rural Saskatchewan communities,” said Inspector Andrew Farquhar, Officer in Charge of RCMP FSOC in Saskatchewan. “Our goal is to prevent illicit drugs from entering our communities in the first place.”
“Bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion has not only disrupted criminal activity at multiple levels, but has also created a significant hole in the pockets of local, national and international crime groups,” says Superintendent Trent Stevely, in charge of the Investigative Services Division at the Regina Police Service. “This seizure by police means these illicit drugs will never be on our streets in Saskatchewan, victimizing our communities.”
This investigation received support from the following partner and police agencies: Regina Police Service; Regina Integrated Intelligence Unit; Weyburn Police Service; Vancouver Police Department; Moose Jaw Police Service; “E” Division Federal and Serious Organized Crime; “K” Division Federal and Serious Organized Crime; Burnaby RCMP Drug Section; Burnaby RCMP Detachment; “G” Division Federal Arctic Unit; Public Prosecution Service of Canada; and Correctional Services Canada, and RCMP Special Investigations Section.
“Dismantling this inter-provincial, international drug-trafficking investigation required extensive resource collaboration from across the country and reacting quickly as the investigation and arrests unfolded. Working closely with established partnerships with municipal police agencies, other RCMP Divisions and our government departments provided us with a unique ability to exchange intelligence and utilize different police techniques and resources,” said Insp. Farquhar.
“The Regina Police Service will continue to work closely with our valued provincial and federal RCMP partners, along with other municipal police agencies and government agencies. Our combined efforts, shared resources and mutual investigative supports are the reasons that significant investigations like this are successful,” said Supt. Stevely.
