Battleford RCMP makes major drug flag after several months of investigation into drug trafficking
A multi-month Battleford RCMP investigation into human trafficking in the Battlefords area led to a massive drug crackdown on February 2.
In total, officers seized nearly eight kilograms of the suspected cocaine, 281 grams of Xanax tablets, more than 5,000 pre-rolled cannabis joints, 898 cartons of contraband cigarettes, more than 10 kilograms of cutting agents, a large sum of cash and four illegally owned handguns, police said.
The investigation was conducted by the Battleford RCMP Gang Task Force (GTF) and was called Project Falter. It started in August 2022.
Police said GTF officers used covert strategies and surveillance to gather information. The investigation found that illegal Edmonton drugs were trafficked in the Battlefords area through a telephone delivery service.
Police acted on their arrest plan on February 2 when officers stopped two vehicles. Police said one was a drug delivery vehicle operating shifts in the Battlefords area. The RCMP said search warrants were subsequently executed at numerous homes in the Battlefords and Edmonton areas.
“This investigation demonstrates the investigative skills and determination of officers. Their work dismantled a significant trading operation in the Battlefords,” said Sgt. Adam Buckingham, who oversees the GTF, in a news release Friday.
“We’ve saved hundreds of thousands of dollars from criminal hands — but more importantly, the flow of dangerous drugs into our communities has been disrupted.”
Battleford RCMP said the GTF was assisted in the course of the investigation by Saskatchewan RCMP and partner police teams.
“This complex and multi-jurisdictional investigation, as well as the scheduled and timed traffic stops and execution of search warrants, simply would not have been possible without their help,” Buckingham said.
So far, Battleford RCMP has filed more than 25 charges against six people. All six have or will appear in North Battleford Provincial Court.
The Edmonton Police Service has also arrested and charged two men in connection with this investigation.
The investigation is ongoing, police said.
