The Estevan Police Service (EPS) has released details on numerous drug busts that have happened in the southeast recently.
The EPS Drug Unit initiated Project “Minch” at the beginning of November. This three-week investigation targeted two major cocaine trafficking groups from B.C., as well as street level cocaine traffickers in Estevan.
The two groups from B.C. worked independently of each other and were considered two of the largest cocaine suppliers in the community.
Independent cocaine traffickers were also targeted in this project.
The investigation involved undercover police officers for the purpose of purchasing cocaine. Over the course of three weeks a total of four search warrants were executed, with three in Estevan and one in Weyburn.
Police have seized approximately $100,000 worth of cocaine, a quantity of marijuana, approximately $20,000 in Canadian currency, one vehicle, one prohibited weapon and numerous cell phones.
Twelve males and one female are facing a total of 44 charges.
The arrests and searches involved several officers from the Estevan Police Service Criminal Investigation Division (CID), Containment Warrant Entry Team (CWET), the Estevan patrol section, Estevan Forensic Identification Section (FIS) and members of the Weyburn Police Service.
Local residents arrested were Kevin Jardine, 26; Jonathon Flath, 25; Jaden Lee Monteyne, 19; Chase Velestuk (Monteyne), 18; as well as two 16-year-old males and one 17-year-old male. The names of those three males cannot be released due to the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Individuals from B.C. who were arrested were Carson Norman Clifford Pelletier, 27, of Surrey; Dylan Thomas Churly, 26, of Chilliwack; Nicholas Boscoe, 21, of Burnaby; and Brooke Turner, 21, of Terrace.
Also arrested was Devon Jonathan Bailey, 33, of Calgary.
All individuals were released in front of the court on several conditions.
The Nov. 30 edition of the Mercury will have more on this story.
