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(File Photo/paNOW Staff)
Drug Seizure

P.A. man arrested after police recover cocaine, 100,000 cigarettes from vehicle near Rosthern

Feb 21, 2023 | 5:44 PM

A Prince Albert man was arrested and charged after Wakaw RCMP pulled over a vehicle after it fled from police.

On Feb. 9 at 9 a.m., police were on the lookout for a suspicious vehicle reportedly driven by somebody who was impaired and was part of a Tobacco Tax Act investigation.

Later that day, an officer with the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol stopped a vehicle on Highway 11 near Hague before the vehicle took off and fled. Police stopped pursuing the vehicle out of safety concerns.

Wakaw RCMP were informed of the vehicle’s plate information once police anticipated it was heading in the town’s direction.

When officers patrolled for the vehicle, a farmer filed a report about items being thrown onto a field near Highway 312 east of Rosthern. The vehicle in that file matched the description of the suspect vehicle.

After searching the field, officers retrieved a duffel bag full of suspected narcotics and a number of cardboard boxes full of unstamped cigarettes. While on scene, officers found the vehicle parked a little farther away.

The Mounties conducted another traffic stop and the driver was arrested.

Investigators ended up finding 100,000 unstamped cigarettes, 2,040 grams of marijuana, 386 grams of cocaine and 124 grams of hash in the vehicle.

“This investigation is an example of the success of collaboration between the Saskatchewan RCMP and our provincial partners,” said Sgt. Adam Von Niessen, Wakaw RCMP detachment commander. “Quick communication is necessary to ensure we can intervene the distribution of illicit drugs in our communities and keep the people we serve, safe.”

Cody Evans, 29, from Prince Albert was charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police, possession of unstamped tobacco, three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, and one count of possessing unstamped tobacco.

He is slated to appear in Rosthern Provincial Court on Apr. 26.

panews@pattisonmedia.com