Saskatoon Police Officer Fires Weapon During CRT Cocaine Trafficking Investigation
The SPS Crime Reduction Team completed a recent investigation into cocaine trafficking in Saskatoon.
On July 8, 2023, at approximately 7:00 p.m., investigators observed, what was believed to be, a drug transaction occur in the parking lot of a motel in the 2500 block of 22nd Street West.
The person thought to be purchasing the illicit drugs entered the suspect vehicle, a grey 2016 Nissan Juke, prior to officers conducting a high-risk traffic stop. Three unmarked Police vehicles surrounded the suspect vehicle to prevent the suspect from fleeing, but the suspect driver rammed two of the SPS vehicles.
During the collisions, the suspect vehicle struck one of the officers who was outside of their vehicle, while attempting to flee. The officer involved discharged their firearm at the tire of the suspect vehicle three times in an attempt to disable it. The male driver and female passenger were taken into custody, without further incident. The officer who was struck sustained a minor injury, but did not require medical treatment. No further injuries were sustained.
A Use Of Force review will be conducted in accordance with policy.
The 40-year-old male suspect was located with $80 counterfeit cash, $400 CAD and two cellphones. He was charged with Assault with a Weapon, Trafficking in Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of the Proceeds of Crime Under $5000 and Possession of Counterfeit Money.
The 43-year-old female suspect was charged with possessing cocaine.
The suspect vehicle was later searched and found to have cash, cocaine and cell phones inside.
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As the initial arrests were occurring, a second suspect connected to the investigation, a 30-year-old woman, was arrested without incident from a home in the 300 block of Silverwood Road. Police executed a search warrant at that address and located nearly 10g of fentanyl, 57g of a cutting agent and 143g of cocaine.
The 30-year-old woman is charged with Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking and Possession of the Proceeds of Crime Under $5000.