Maskwacis, Alberta – On Tuesday, May 17th 2022, members of the Maskwacis General Investigation Section (GIS) executed six search warrants associated to illegal trafficking of substances and seized $160,000 worth of illegal contraband. As the investigation was still ongoing, Maskwacis GIS identified other persons associated to the same illegal trafficking group. On Wednesday, May 25th 2022, Maskwacis GIS with assistance from the Edmonton Police Service Tactical Team, and Police Dog Services (PDS) executed a search warrant at a residence and on a vehicle located in the City of Edmonton. During the executions, police seized the following:
· Approximately 1.6 kilograms of cocaine;
· Approximately 740 grams of unknown substances believed to be buffing agent;
· Items used to produce crack-cocaine;
· $16,560 in cash;
· Approximately 13 lbs of illegal cannabis; and
· 5,400 illegal cigarettes.
“We will continue to address our communities concerns of drug trafficking within Maskwacis. This is one of many ongoing investigations where our officers are targeting those who continue to bring drugs onto the Nations”, said Insp. Leanne MacMillan, Officer in Charge of the Maskwacis Detachment. “Our detachment will continue to work hard to target those who have chosen a life of criminal enterprise that negatively affects the people of Maskwacis.”
The seizures from May 17, 2022 and May 25, 2022 have a combined value of approximately $400,000.
Shimal Saad, a 33-year-old male from the City Edmonton was charged with the following:
· Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
· Possession of an item to produce a controlled substance, contrary to section 7.1 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
· Possession of unstamped tobacco for the purpose of sale, contrary to section 121.1 of the Criminal Code;
· Possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000, contrary to section 355(a) of the Criminal Code;
· Possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution, contrary to section 9(2) of the Cannabis Act;
· Possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling, contrary to section 10(2) of the Cannabis Act;
· Possession of unstamped tobacco product, contrary to section 32(1) of the Excise Act, 2001;
· Fraud, contrary to section 380 of the Criminal Code (x4); and
· Possession of cannabis, contrary to Section 90.08(1) of the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act.
Saad was released following a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear in Edmonton Provincial Court at 8:30 a.m., on court in Edmonton on Thursday, June 9th 2022.
BACKROUND:
Maskwacis RCMP – Six search warrants over two days sees significant seizure and charges laid
Maskwacis, Alta. – In June 2021, members of the Maskwacis General Investigation Section (GIS) became aware through criminal intelligence of illegal trafficking of substances into the four communities that make up Maskwacis. In the following months, Maskwacis GIS would conduct a complete and thorough investigation focusing on disrupting and dismantling the trafficking network.
Between Tuesday, May 17, 2022, and Wednesday, May 18, 2022, Maskwacis GIS executed six search warrants in a joint operation with the Maskwacis General Duty Members, the Maskwacis Community Policing (CPVS) unit, the Wetaskiwin GIS, the Wetaskiwin Crime Reduction Unit (CRU), the Central Alberta District GIS, and the Edmonton Police Service. These warrants were executed at a residence on the Ermineskin Cree Nation along with two residences, and a storage locker within the City of Edmonton, and finally two vehicles associated to the illegal trafficking network. As a result, police located and seized the following items:
· 50,000 Illicit cigarettes, valued at $44,000;
· 17lbs of illegal Cannabis, with a street value of $75,000;
· 1200 unidentified pills;
· 1 liter of Cannabis resin; and
· $38,000 in cash proceeds.
The seizure is valued at $160,000. The investigation is still ongoing, and more charges are pending.
“This was a significant seizure of illegal substances, and without the help of our RCMP partners and the Edmonton Police Service this wouldn’t have been possible; a big thank you them.” says Cst. Guillaume Wilson of the Maskwacis RCMP. “We will continue working on identifying and arresting persons engaged trafficking illegal substances on the four nations of Maskwacis. We encourage the residents in our community to report any illegal activity to police and assist us in disrupting criminal groups by calling the detachment, speaking to an officer, or providing tips through crime stoppers.”
Salih Khoshnaw a 32-year-old male from the City of Edmonton was charged with the following Criminal Code of Canada offences:
· Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000;
· Possession of unstamped tobacco products for the purpose of selling; and
· Fraud over $5,000.
Khoshnaw also faces one count of unlawfully sell tobacco product that was not stamped, contrary to the Excise Act of Canada.
Leslie Dennehy a 35-year-old male from the City of Edmonton was charged with the following Cannabis Act offences:
· Possess cannabis for the purpose of distribution; and
· Possess cannabis for the purpose of selling.
Dennehy also faces one count of Unauthorized possession of a weapon, under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Both Khoshnaw and Dennehy were held for bail hearings, and released by a Justice of the Peace with conditions. Khoshnaw is scheduled to appear in Edmonton Provincial Court on Wednesday, June 15th, 2022, at 8:15 a.m., and Dennehy is scheduled to appear in Edmonton Provincial Court on Friday, June 10th, 2022 at 8:15 a.m.
Maskwacis RCMP
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