Charges in Cannabis Dispensary Investigations

Six individuals are facing charges and warrants have been obtained for the arrest of two more individuals as the result of investigations in Regina into the illegal operation of cannabis dispensaries. The arrests in these investigations began earlier this month with investigators locating, arresting and charging each of the suspects identified through investigations, search warrants and collection of evidence since the start of 2018.

Background: On January 24, 2018, the Regina Police Service held a news conference to remind the public of the existing laws regarding cannabis marihuana. At this time, Chief Evan Bray made it clear that businesses, operating in the city of Regina, as cannabis dispensaries or compassion clubs were illegal under Canadian law. Chief Bray spoke about a plan for public education on the RPS website, communication with dispensary owners and operators, a request for compliance with the law and, ultimately enforcement, if it were necessary. The January 24th news conference video can be found here.

In March, 2018, after a period of education and communication with dispensary owners and operators, some dispensaries chose to cease their business operations pending passage of federal legislation and the provincially-governed licensing process. The Regina Police Service identified six businesses which were allegedly continuing illegal operations. On Wednesday, March 28, 2018, the Regina Police Service conducted searches at six Regina illegal dispensaries. At the time, it was indicated investigations would continue with charges pending the outcome of the investigations.

In early June, as the result of the investigations into illegal drug trafficking in the city of Regina, the following persons were arrested and charged:
1) Thirty-one-year-old Kelly Jonathan BONOKOSKI, of Regina, arrested on June 6, 2018, is charged with:
– Trafficking cannabis marihuana [5(1) CDSA];
– Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking cannabis marihuana [5(2) CDSA];
– Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking cannabis resin [5(2) CDSA];
– Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000 [355(b) CC]; and
– Possession of Property Obtained by Crime for the Purpose of Trafficking [355.4 CC].
BONOKOSKI made his first court appearance on these charges in Provincial Court, on Thursday, June 7, 2018.

2) Thirty-nine year-old Tanner L. SCHEIDT, of Regina, arrested June 7, 2018, is charged with:
– Trafficking CBD (cannabidiol) [5(1) CDSA];
– Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking cannabis marihuana [5(2) CDSA];
– Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking cannabis resin [5(2) CDSA];
– Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000 [355(b) CC]; and
– Possession of Property Obtained by Crime for the Purpose of Trafficking [355.4 CC].
SCHEIDT made his first court appearance in these charges in Provincial Court at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 8, 2018.

3) Thirty year-old Jonathan Richard METZ, of Regina, arrested June 7, 2018, is charged with:
– Trafficking cannabis marihuana [5(1) CDSA];
– Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking cannabis marihuana [5(2) CDSA];
– Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking cannabis resin [5(2) CDSA];
– Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000 [355(a) CC]; and
– Possession of Property Obtained by Crime for the Purpose of Trafficking [355.4 CC].
METZ made his first court appearance in these charges in Provincial Court at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 8, 2018.

4) Fifty-five year-old Donald Earl FULTON, of Regina, arrested June 7, 2018, is charged with:
– Trafficking cannabis marihuana [5(1) CDSA];
– Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking cannabis marihuana [5(2) CDSA];
– Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking cannabis resin [5(2) CDSA]; and
– Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000 [355(b) CC].
Donald FULTON was released on an Undertaking to appear in Provincial Court on July 16, 2018.

5) Twenty-eight year-old Natasha Dawn FULTON, of Regina, arrested June 7, 2018, is charged with:
– Trafficking cannabis marihuana [5(1) CDSA];
– Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking cannabis marihuana [5(2) CDSA];
– Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking cannabis resin [5(2) CDSA]; and
– Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000 [355(b) CC].
Natasha FULTON was released on an Undertaking to appear in Provincial Court on July 16, 2018.

6) Forty-one year-old Stephen Austin LUCYK, of Regina, arrested June 12, 2018, is charged with:
– Trafficking cannabis marihuana [5(1) CDSA];
– Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking cannabis marihuana [5(2) CDSA];
– Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking cannabis resin [5(2) CDSA]; and
– Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000 [355(b) CC].
LUCYK made his first court appearance on these charges in Provincial Court at 2:00 p.m., on June 12, 2018.

In addition, after numerous attempts to locate these individuals, the Regina Police Service has obtained warrants for the arrest of 39 year-old Patrick Lee WARNECKE and 31 year-old Megan Nicole POTTER, both of Regina.
Thirty-nine year-old Patrick Lee WARNECKE will be charged with:
– Trafficking cannabis marihuana [5(1) CDSA];
– Trafficking CBD (cannabidiol) [5(1) CDSA];
– Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking cannabis marihuana [5(2) CDSA];
– Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking cannabis resin [5(2) CDSA];
– Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000 [355(a) CC];
– Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000 [355.2 CC];
– Laundering Proceeds of Crime [462.31(2)(a) CC]; and
– Breach of Undertaking [145(3) CC].

Thirty-one year-old Megan Nicole POTTER will be charged with:
– Trafficking cannabis marihuana [5(1) CDSA];
– Trafficking CBD (cannabidiol) [5(1) CDSA];
– Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking cannabis marihuana [5(2) CDSA];
– Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking cannabis resin [5(2) CDSA];
– Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000 [355(a) CC];
– Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000 [355.2 CC]; and
– Laundering Proceeds of Crime [462.31(2)(a) CC].