Saskatoon police seize $226k, 4 kg cocaine in 'Project Octane' drug bust
Saskatoon and Calgary police with help from RCMP have concluded a nine-month investigation – dubbed Project Octane – regarding what police call a sophisticated drug network.
The offences are alleged to have taken place in both Saskatoon and Calgary over a six-week period in the spring of 2021.
On April 8, five search warrants were issued in Saskatoon at homes in the 100 block of Fast Crescent, the 200 block of Willis Crescent, the 1100 block of College Drive, the 300 block of Fifth Avenue North, and a hotel room in the 400 block of Second Avenue South.
Police say they seized the following evidence:
- $226,600 cash
- 4177.96 grams of Cocaine
- 166.99 grams of Fentanyl
- 67.06 grams of Methamphetamine
- 568.92 grams of Marijuana
- Six Vehicles
In July the group were charged in Saskatoon as follows:
- 26-year-old Japjee Minhas, 26-year-old Ali Sarfraz, 28-year-old Rajandeep Singh, 21-year-old Gurkeert Hehar and 23-year-old Andrew Karamat all face charges of:
- Conspiracy to Commit Trafficking of Methamphetamine and Cocaine
- Trafficking of Cocaine and Methamphetamine
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking in Cocaine, Fentanyl and Methamphetamine
- Possession of Proceeds of Crime Over $5000
- Commission of an Offence for the Benefit of Criminal Organization
Minhas was also charged with Directing an Offence for a Criminal Organization and 28-year-old Rachel Kidd was charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking in Cocaine.
In addition, Calgary Police Service executed 23 search warrants in Alberta between April of 2020 and May 2021. This resulted in 73 charges being laid against nine people.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.