Saskatchewan RCMP and Saskatchewan Highway Patrol Seize Almost $1 Million Following Commercial Traffic Inspection
Joint investigation between Saskatchewan RCMP and Saskatchewan Highway Patrol result in almost $1 million dollars seized following commercial traffic inspection.
On September 1, 2022, at approximately 11:14 a.m., the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol conducted a commercial traffic inspection on a semi-truck travelling east on the outskirts of Regina.
During the course of the inspection, officers noted commercial vehicle violations and missing documentation. There were two male occupants. A search of the semi-truck during the course of the inspection resulted in officers locating two large duffle bags and one black canvas shopping bag. The duffle bags were each filled with a sum of cash in clear, vacuum sealed plastic bags. The black canvas shopping bag contained two packages, both containing a sum of cash. The cash was packaged in a way that was consistent with organized crime. As a result, all bags were seized by officers for further investigation. The two occupants were taken into custody without incident. Saskatchewan Highway Safety Patrol requested assistance from the White Butte RCMP. The RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime (FSOC) Saskatchewan were engaged and took carriage of the investigation.
The total amount of proceeds forfeited to police in the traffic inspection was $897,540 in Canadian currency. Officers determined the two occupants of the truck were originally destined for Headingley, Manitoba.
The two occupants were released that evening with no charges.
RCMP FSOC Saskatchewan continued to work in collaboration with Saskatchewan Highway Safety Patrol, White Butte RCMP and the Regina Integrated Intelligence Unit. Over the coming months, officers initiated an investigation into the proceeds seized, which included conducting background checks, drafting judicial authorizations, and examining evidence collected from the scene.
RCMP FSOC Saskatchewan worked in consultation with the Saskatoon RCMP General Investigation Section (GIS), Public Prosecution Service Canada, and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice and Office of the Attorney General, and determined the proceeds should be referred to the Province’s Civil Forfeiture process. On March 30, 2023, the Provincial Crown applied for civil forfeiture and the Regina King’s Bench Court deemed the proceeds were the result of unlawful activity and ordered the money be forfeited to Saskatchewan’s Civil Forfeiture Program.
The investigation into the proceeds forfeited and seized is now concluded. As such, there is no further information to provide.
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