Daily Herald Staff
RCMP Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Teams (SERTs) executed 385 arrest warrants, seized more than 11.4 kilograms of illicit drugs, 144 firearms and more than $286,000 in cash from investigations in Saskatchewan communities between July and December 2024.
Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said the SERT success shows the RCMP are delivering significant results in preventing and addressing crime in Saskatchewan.
“Our partnership with the RCMP plays an important role in reducing crime across Saskatchewan and promoting community safety,” McLeod said in a press release.
“These teams tackle a wide range of critical issues and we are proud of their accomplishments. The province will continue to work collaboratively with our policing partners to ensure the continued safety and security of Saskatchewan residents.”
SERT includes the Crime Reduction Teams (CRTs), Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team (WEST), and the Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team (STRT), each tackling areas of enforcement across the province.
The RCMP STRT is a specialized, intelligence-led enforcement team that investigates weapons, drug and human trafficking cases. From July through December 2024, they have opened 17 human trafficking files, executed 37 search warrants and made 31 arrests, while seizing over 651,000 packs of tobacco and more than 900 grams of cocaine and laying 81 charges.
RCMP CRTs respond to crime in rural areas, targeting prolific offenders and street gangs in Saskatchewan. The CRT executed 288 arrest warrants, laid over 400 charges, seized more than 8.6 kg of illicit drugs and made 352 arrests.
WEST teams operate out of Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Meadow Lake and target high profile suspects like gang members and violent offenders with outstanding warrants. From July through to December 2024, WEST officers executed 97 warrants and made 82 arrests.
Saskatchewan RCMP Commanding Officer Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore said these investigational successes demonstrate how SERT and local RCMP detachments work together as the provincial police force to enhance community safety across Saskatchewan.
“These investigational successes demonstrate how SERT and local RCMP detachments work together as the provincial police force to enhance community safety across Saskatchewan,” Blackmore said in a press release. “As a highly skilled and specialized unit, SERT’s intelligence-led, enforcement-based policing initiatives continue to combat dangerous crime and violent gang activity in the province. We will continue to help make Saskatchewan a safer place for all those who call it home.”
One of the biggest busts came in July 2024 with a Saskatchewan Highway Patrol (SHP) Officer conducted an inspection of a semi and trailer near Swift Current. The officer determined the semi’s documentation was inconsistent. As a result of the investigation, the officer located approximately 30 pallets of unstamped tobacco in the trailer.
RCMP STRT took over the investigation with assistance of the Swift Current Rural RCMP detachment. STRT determined the truck was carrying about 8.75 million unstamped cigarettes, which SHP indicated was one of the largest tobacco seizures in their history.
Another large bust came in October 2024 when the North Battleford RCMP-CRT Gang Task Force executed search warrants at two residences in the community. During the search, investigators found and seized a loaded handgun, rifle, around 81 grams of methamphetamine, and roughly 58 grams of crack cocaine. They also seized ammunition, cash, and drug trafficking paraphernalia.
Officers arrested three individuals, charging two of them with possession for the purpose of trafficking.
