On March 29th, 2017, the Regina Police Service Drug Unit engaged in drug enforcement in the city of Regina. The objective of the RPS initiative was identifying criminal activity of persons believed to be involved in drug trafficking. The initiative focused on drug enforcement and continued support of public and police officer safety related to the sale and possession of controlled substances in the community.
The four-day police enforcement operation, from March 29th to April 1st, was identified as Project CLUTCH. As a result of ongoing police investigations, related to criminal activity and drug enforcement, the operation was supported by members of the Regina Police Service SWAT team. The investigation team was compromised of both drug enforcement investigators and tactical members. Thirteen officers were assigned to the 96-hour initiative by Regina Police Service.
The following is a summary of the enforcement activity:
Wednesday, March 29th, 2017 –
A 62 year-old male was arrested for outstanding warrants in the 300 block of Toronto Street, as he was previously identified as being involved in drug trafficking. No additional drug enforcement charges were laid.
A traffic stop at Dewdney Avenue and Oxford Street resulted in the arrest of a 32 year-old male. A subsequent search led to the seizure of Methamphetamine, Marihuana and Ritalin. The drug investigation is ongoing.
A traffic stop in the 1100 block of Victoria Avenue East resulted in the arrest of 34 year-old male. A subsequent search lead to the seizure of Cocaine and evidence indicative of drug trafficking. The male was charged for offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) and the Criminal Code of Canada. A vehicle was seized. Subsequent investigational follow-up was conducted and a pit bull was located in a hotel room, in the vicinity of the traffic stop, and returned to the owner.
Valid court order release conditions of persons previously charged for drug trafficking offences were enforced on four individuals in various locations of the city. Some of the conditions enforced were identified as curfew(s), maintain residency and search. During the activity, some individuals were identified as abiding by their release conditions. A 28 year-old male, who had outstanding arrest warrants, was also subject to police enforcement on the 200 block of Michener Drive. The male was arrested on warrants and found to be in breach of court order conditions. The male was charged for additional CDSA offences during the enforcement.
Thursday, March 30th, 2017 –
A 42 year-old male was subject to a traffic stop in the 1600 Block of Montreal Street. The male was identified as having outstanding arrest warrants. During the enforcement activity, the male was found to be in possession of Talwin and Ritalin. The male was arrested on this date and charged for offences under the CDSA. A pit bull was located in the vehicle at the time of the traffic stop by investigators. The male was later released from police custody and provided an upcoming court date for drug possession charges.
A 23 year-old resident of Montreal, Quebec, (recently residing in Regina) was subject to a traffic stop and subsequent arrest as a result of a drug trafficking investigation. The police enforcement took place in a business parking lot near the 1500 block of Albert Street. The male was found to be in possession of Cocaine and crack Cocaine, Canadian currency and communication devices. The male appeared in court on March 31st, 2017 on several charges.
A 26 year-old male was subject to arrest as a result of police observations and interaction on the 1400 block of Angus Street. The male was found to be in possession of Marihuana at the time of arrest. Drug investigation remains ongoing.
A 39 year-old male and a 43 year-old female were subject to arrest as a result of a drug trafficking investigation and traffic stop in a business parking lot in the 2200 block of Broad Street. Drug paraphernalia and evidence to corroborate drug trafficking was seized by investigators. Upon arrest, the male was interviewed in relation to an ongoing police investigation. The female was released from the scene with criminal charges. Upon completion of the police custody interview, the male was released with no criminal charges. The drug investigation remains ongoing.
Friday, March 31st, 2017
A 22 year-old male was subject to arrest upon completion of a vehicle traffic stop in the 1500 block of Rupert Street. Cocaine, Canadian currency and electronic communication devices were seized by investigators. It was determined that the male was a resident of Toronto, Ontario, who had recently moved to Regina. The male was arrested for Obstructing a Peace Officer for providing a false name to investigators, Carrying a Concealed Weapon and breach of Ontario court orders. The male was taken into police custody.
A CDSA warrant to search a residence in the 1900 block of Garnet Street was execute by drug and tactical members this same date. A 35 year-old male and a 32 year-old male, both residents of Alberta but recently residing in Regina, were located in the dwelling. A 40 year-old individual was also located inside the dwelling upon the execution of the search warrant and police entry. Cocaine, Marihuana and Psilocybin were seized as well as a volume of evidence to support ongoing drug trafficking activity: Canadian currency, a sawed-off .12 gauge shotgun, ammunition, and knuckle dusters. Two vehicles were also subject to a search in relation to the judicial authorization. A 33 year-old male suspect identified during the investigation was not located at the residence. The 40 year-old individual, located in the dwelling at the time of the search warrant execution, was later released from police investigation after drug investigators determined that the individual did not reside at the dwelling. A pit bull dog was removed from the residence by Animal Control upon completion of the collection of evidence from the residence. Two males will appear in Provincial Court on April 3rd, 2017 at 9:30 a.m.
April 1st, 2017 –
Regina Police Service Drug Unit members followed up investigation related to the arrest of the 22 year-old Toronto, Ontario male in the 1500 block of Rupert Street the previous day. Further investigation resulted in two search warrants being executed on this date in the 1600 block of Regent Street and 3300 block of Quance Street. Cocaine, crack Cocaine, a pump-action pistol-grip .12 gauge firearm, Canadian currency and evidence indicative of drug trafficking were seized from both locations. Drug and Criminal Code of Canada charges were laid on the individual as a result of the police investigation. The male will appear in Provincial Court on April 3rd, 2017 at 9:30 a.m.
Project CLUTCH concluded on April 1st, 2017. Several police investigations related to drug trafficking and public safety remain ongoing. Names of individuals subject to police enforcement during the initiative will not be released at this time.