(File photo/northeastNOW staff)

By Ben Tompkins

Drug bust

Three arrested, 178 grams of cocaine seized from Melfort and Kinistino

Oct 27, 2022 | 2:18 PM

Saskatchewan RCMP’s Prince Albert Crime Reduction Team (CRT) has located and seized 178 grams of cocaine, 15 grams of methamphetamine, cash, and three non-licensed firearms.

As a result, three individuals were arrested and charged: 39-year-old David Barks and 44-year-old Grant Day, both from Melfort, and 24-year-old Tanis Michel from Kinistino.

This began back in May of this year after the CRT began investigating an illicit drug trafficking operation in Melfort and the surrounding area.

This in-depth investigation continued through the summer and into the fall. CRT officers used specialized advanced tactics, including surveillance and judicially-authorized tracking, to gather evidence.

As a result of the evidence-gathering, CRT officers obtained warrants to enter and search a number of properties in the Melfort and Kinistino area.

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On Oct. 20, 2022, officers searched three residences, a storage unit, and three vehicles.

“Our CRT officers worked very meticulously over several months on this in-depth investigation, which ultimately resulted in three individuals being charged and a significant amount of cocaine and methamphetamine removed from the streets,” said Supt. Glenn Church, officer in charge of Saskatchewan RCMP’s Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Team (SERT).

“Their investigation determined these illicit drugs were being trafficked to multiple communities, including Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Melfort, Star City, Tisdale, Kinistino, and Pleasantdale. All of these communities are safer because of this drug seizure and the dismantlement of this trafficking operation.”

Barks is charged with: two counts, possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine and methamphetamine), one count, possession of the proceeds of crime, and one count, possession of firearm without a license.

Meanwhile, Day and Michel are each charged with one count, possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine).

All three accused are scheduled to appear in Melfort Provincial Court on Dec. 12, 2022.

The Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Team (SERT) consists of Saskatchewan RCMP’s Crime Reduction Team (CRT) and Warrant Enforcement Suppression Team (WEST), as well as the Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team (STRT).

SERT will help the Saskatchewan RCMP continue to fulfill its mandate as the province’s police force – keeping our communities safe.

Saskatchewan RCMP’s Melfort detachment, Warrant Enforcement Suppression Team, and Traffic Services, as well as the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) assisted in this investigation.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8