Project FORSETI is a significant investigation conducted by the Integrated Organized Crime Unit – North (IOC – North); this unit includes members from the RCMP and the Saskatoon Police Service. This project is a result of an investigation that began in November, 2013, into organized crime in Saskatchewan.
Yesterday, search warrants were executed in Saskatoon and communities in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Search locations are as follows:
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – 9 residences, 2 commercial properties
Star City, Saskatchewan – 1 residence
Melfort, Saskatchewan – 1 business Nipawin, Saskatchewan – 1 business
Warman, Saskatchewan – 2 residences
Red Deer, Alberta – 2 residences
Calgary, Alberta – 1 vehicle
Over the course of this investigation, including yesterday’s searches, investigators seized the
following:
• 5.4 kilograms of methamphetamine,
• 2.6 kilograms of cocaine,
• 3,358 fentanyl pills (counterfeit oxycontin),
• 107 grams of heroin,
• 145 pounds of marihuana,
• 456 dilaudid pills,
• 454 grams of cannabis resin (hash),
• approximately $100,000 currency as proceeds of crime,
• seven vehicles as offence related property,
• approximately 200 firearms including prohibited and restricted firearms (some of the firearms seized were loaded and some were unsecured),
• tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition,
• four ballistic vests,
• one conducted energy weapon
As a result of these searches the following 14 adults were arrested and face the following charges:
• John FEKETE, DOB: 84-OCT-21, of Saskatoon, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)
1. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cannabis), Section 5(1) CDSA;
2. Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000, 354(1) & 355(a) CC
• Carl TROBAK, DOB: 87-NOV-13, of Saskatoon, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)
1. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Section 5(1) CDSA;
2. Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000, 354(1) & 355(b) CC
• Justin SMITH, DOB: 82-MAY-12, of Saskatoon, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)
1. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Section 5(1) CDSA & Section 465(1)(c) CC
2. 3 counts of: Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (fentanyl), Section 5(1) CDSA;
3. 3 counts of: Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (heroin), Section 5(1) CDSA;
4. Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Section 5(1) CDSA;
5. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Section 5(2) CDSA;
6. 3 counts of: Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000, 354(1) & 355(a) CC
7. 5 counts of: Failure to comply with conditions Section 145(3) CC
8. Aggravated assault Section 268(1) CC
9. Weapon Trafficking Section 99(1) CC
• Daryl NAGY, DOB: 89-JUL-06, of Saskatoon, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)
1. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Section 5(2) CDSA;
2. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Section 5(1) CDSA;
3. 2 counts of: Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000, 354(1) CDSA & 355(a) CC
4. Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000, 354(1) & 355(b) CC
5. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Section 5(1) CDSA;
• Bradley Carl MANN, DOB: 78-AUG-02, of Martensville, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)
1. Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Section 5(1) CDSA & Section 465(1)c CC
2. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Section 5(1) CDSA;
3. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Section 5(2) CDSA;
4. Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000, 354(1) CDSA & 355(a) CC
• Terry EIDE, DOB: 83-JUN-22, of Calgary, AB, has been charged with the following and will appear in court at a later date to be determined
1. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Section 5(1) CDSA
2. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (fentanyl), Section 5(1) CDSA
3. Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000, 354(1) CDSA & 355(a) CC
• Rob ALLEN, DOB: 80-JUL-23, of Saskatoon, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)
1. 2 counts of: Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Section 5(1) CDSA
• Ryan HILLMAN, DOB: 87-AUG-09, of Saskatoon, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)
1. 3 counts of: Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance (cannabis), Section 5(1) CDSA & 465(1)(c) CC
2. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cannabis), Section 5(1) CDSA
3. Aggravated Assault, Section 268(1) CC
• Mark Michael NOWAKOWSKI, DOB: 70-FEB-13, of Saskatoon, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)
1. Aggravated Assault, Section 268(1) CC
• Christopher Keith LESTER, DOB: 81-MAR-19, of Saskatoon, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)
1. 2 counts of: Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance (cannabis), Section 5(1) CDSA & 465(1)(c) CC
• Layne Joseph James BOORMAN, DOB: 90-APR-13, of Saskatoon, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)
1. Aggravated Assault, Section 268 (1) CC
• Armand HOUNJET, DOB: 71-OCT-19, of Melfort, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)
1. Weapon Trafficking, Section 99 CC (3 counts)
2. 2 counts of: Possess a firearm dangerous to the public peace, Section 88 CC
3. 2 counts of: Illegally transfer a firearm, Section 101 (1) CC
4. Transport a firearm in a careless manner, Section 86(1) CC
5. Store a firearm in an unsafe manner, Section 86(2) CC
6. Aggravated assault, Section 268(1) CC
7. Trafficking of Controlled Substance (cannabis) 5(1) CDSA
• Travis Matthew MILES DOB 89-Mar-18 of Saskatoon, SK has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)
1. Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (methamphetamine), Section 5(2) CDSA
• Thai Duong TRAN DOB 88-Nov-02 of Vancouver, BC has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)
1. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Section 5(1) CDSA
2. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (fentanyl), Section 5(1) CDSA
3. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine), Section 5(1) CDSA
4. Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000, 354(1) & 355(b) CC
As a result of intelligence gathered during Project FORSETI and a joint investigation between IOC – North and the “E” Division RCMP Federal and Serious Organized Crime Unit, a search was conducted on January 6, 2015, in Burnaby, British Columbia. This search resulted in the seizure of two pill presses and several kilograms of pre-mixed powders. These types of pill presses are industrial level machines commonly associated with the production of MDMA (ecstasy) and fentanyl (counterfeit oxycontin).
Investigators became aware of the pill presses after the deaths relating to counterfeit oxycontin in September, 2014. Fentanyl pills (counterfeit oxycontin) have been linked to several recent deaths in western Canada.
Investigators have determined that the fentanyl pills seized during this investigation are of the same chemical composition as the ones responsible for the recent deaths in Saskatoon. “This investigation clearly demonstrates there are individuals who are determined to bring harm into our communities. We can see by the pill press and quantity of illegal drugs and other materials seized, this was not an amateur operation,” said Detective Inspector Jerome Engele, Investigative Support Section, Criminal Investigation Division, Saskatoon Police Service, “It is important for everyone to remember that the only safe medication to take is one prescribed by your physician and purchased from a pharmacy. There is no way to ever guarantee the safety of drugs that are purchased illegally.”
“Complex investigations succeed when law enforcement agencies work in partnership. Charges like these announced today are possible because of the efforts and dedication of the members of the Calgary RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit, Vancouver RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit, Prince Albert Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, Red Deer Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams, Canada Border Services Agency, the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team, various units from the Saskatoon Police Service and the Saskatchewan RCMP, and IOC – North,” said S/Sgt. Donovan Fisher, “The specially trained and equipped police officers in these units provided essential skills and expertise that were critical during this investigation. I commend each of these investigators for their commitment to the communities we all serve.”
Investigators also worked closely with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).
The Integrated Organized Crime Unit – North is continuing their investigation. Arrest warrants and additional charges are anticipated in the upcoming weeks.