Watch above: Recent deaths in Saskatoon have been linked to the Hells Angels following police raids across western Canada this week. Wendy Winiewski tells us 14 people face drug charges and the investigation is far from over.
SASKATOON – Fake Oxycontin is among the variety of drugs seized in raids at a number of locations Wednesday morning in Saskatchewan and Alberta on Wednesday morning. Three recent deaths in Saskatoon have been linked to fake Oxycontin along with others in western Canada.
READ MORE: Saskatoon overdose death may be linked to fake Oxycontin
Over 100 Saskatoon and RCMP officers raided 18 properties including the Hells Angels clubhouse in Saskatoon. The raids come after an organized crime investigation named “Project Forseti” that started in November 2013.
Fourteen people, either members of or affiliated to two outlaw motorcycle gangs – the Hells Angels and Fallen Saints – have been charged. The group made their first court appearance in Saskatoon provincial court Thursday morning.
Along with 3,358 fake oxycontin pills (fentanyl), 5.4 kilos of meth, 2.6 kilos of cocaine, 107 grams of heroin, 145 pounds of marijuana, 456 dilaudid pills and 454 grams of hash were also seized. The estimated value is $8-million dollars.
READ MORE: Alarm sounded after 2 Saskatoon deaths linked to fake Oxycontin
Police also seized 200 firearms, including some that are prohibited or restricted, tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition, four ballistic vests, a conducted energy weapon, around $100,000 in currency and seven vehicles.
Watch below: Fake Oxycontin is among the variety of drugs with a street value of $8 million seized in raids at a number of locations Wednesday morning in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Investigators have determined the pills seized are of the same chemical composition as the ones responsible for the three recent deaths in Saskatoon.
“This investigation clearly demonstrates there are individuals who are determined to bring harm into our communities,” said Det. Insp. Jerome Engele from Saskatoon Police Service.
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Watch below: Three recent deaths in Saskatoon have been linked to fake Oxycontin along with others in western Canada.
A search in B.C. on Jan. 6, 2015 resulted in the seizure of two pill presses and several kilograms of pre-mixed powders. Officials say the presses are industrial level machines commonly associated with the production of fake oxycontin and ecstasy.
“We can see by the pill press and quantity of illegal drugs and other materials seized, this was not an amateur operation,” said Engele.
READ MORE: RCMP warn of counterfeit Oxycontin circulating in Edmonton area
The group, scheduled to appear in Saskatoon provincial court on Thursday morning, are facing dozens of charges including drug trafficking, weapons offences, assault and proceeds of crime.
Police say the investigation is still active and that additional charges and arrest warrants are expected in the coming weeks.
“I can tell you more people will be arrested,” stated Engele.
READ MORE: Police conduct multiple raids in Saskatchewan, Alberta
Here is a list of the people arrested and charges laid:
John Fekete from Saskatoon
- Trafficking in a controlled substance (cannabis)
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
Carl Trobak from Saskatoon
- Trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine)
- Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
Justin Smith from Saskatoon
- Trafficking in a controlled substance
- 3 counts of trafficking in a controlled substance (fentanyl)
- 3 counts of trafficking in a controlled substance (heroin)
- Conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance (cocaine)
- Trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine)
- 3 counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- 5 counts of failure to comply with conditions
- Aggravated assault
- Weapon Trafficking
Daryl Nagy of Saskatoon
- Trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine)
- 2 counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine)
Bradley Carl Mann from Martensville, Sask:
- Conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance (cocaine)
- Trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine)
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
Terry Eide from Calgary
- Trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine)
- Trafficking in a controlled substance (fentanyl)
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
Rob Allen from Saskatoon
- 2 counts of trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine)
Ryan Hillman from Saskatoon
- 3 counts of conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance (cannabis)
- Trafficking in a controlled substance (cannabis)
- Aggravated assault
Mark Michael Nowakowski from Saskatoon
- Aggravated assault
Christopher Keith Lester from Saskatoon
- 2 counts of conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance (cannabis)
Layne Joseph James Boorman
- Aggravated assault
Armand Hounjet from Melfort, Sask.
- Weapon trafficking
- 2 counts of possess a firearm dangerous to the public peace
- 2 counts of illegally transfer a firearm
- Transport a firearm in a careless manner
- Store a firearm in an unsafe manner
- Aggravated assault
- Trafficking of controlled substance (cannabis)
Travis Matthew Miles from Saskatoon
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (methamphetamine)
Thai Duong Tran from Vancouver
- Trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine)
- Trafficking in a controlled substance (fentanyl)
- Trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine)
- Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
Raid locations in Saskatoon:
The following are the addresses of locations searched in Saskatoon:
- 900 block Glacier Shores
- 100 block Rajput Way
- 2500 block 37th Street West
- 100 block Silverwood Road
- 1100 block Avenue Q South
- 1900 block 11th Street West
- 100 block 110th Street East
- 300 block Cockburn Crescent
- 100 block Brown Crescent
- 400 block Dickey Crescent
Other locations:
- Star City, Sask. – 1 residence
- Melfort, Sask. – 1 business
- Nipawin, Sask. – 1 business
- Warman, Sask. – 2 residences
- Red Deer, Alta. – 2 residences
- Calgary – 1 vehicle
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