Terror Squad street gang leader admits to trafficking cocaine
On what was scheduled to be the first day of his trial at Court of Queen’s Bench, the leader of Saskatoon’s Terror Squad street gang pleaded guilty to trafficking cocaine over a two-year period.
As a result of the guilty plea, charges of possessing proceeds of crime under $5,000 and possessing bear spray for a dangerous purpose will be stayed against Darren Craig Harper.
The 46-year-old remains out of custody until his sentencing hearing, scheduled for Jan. 5. Federal Crown prosecutor Kirsten Janis indicated the Crown and defence will offer a joint sentencing submission.
Harper admitted dealing cocaine between September 2014 and September 2016. He was arrested during a police raid on Sept. 8, 2016 following an investigation by the Saskatoon Integrated Drug Enforcement Street Team (SIDEST) and the Saskatoon police guns and gangs unit.
Search warrants were executed at homes on Avenue E South and Herold Road, where police seized hydromorphone beads, 5.6 grams of cocaine, 8.1 grams of marijuana, 165 fentanyl pills, bear spray and more than $6,900 in cash.
Besides his involvement with the Terror Squad, Harper has also been linked to the Hells Angels in a report denying his parole bid when he was serving a previous cocaine trafficking sentence several years ago.