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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.