Three men face multiple charges after drug raids

Three Edmonton men are facing multiple charges after Mounties seized around $400,000 in drugs and cash through a string of seizures between May 17 and May 25.

On May 17, members of the Maskwacis general investigation section (GIS) executed six search warrants for illegal trafficking of substances and seized $160,000 worth of illegal products.

The investigation was ongoing and the Maskwacis GIS identified another suspect associated with the same illegal trafficking group. The Maskwacis GIS, with help from the Edmonton Police Service tactical team and police dog services, executed another search on May 25 on a home and vehicle in Edmonton.

Mounties said about 1.6 kilograms of cocaine, 740 grams of unknown substances believed to be buffing agent, items used to make crack-cocaine, $16,560 in cash, around 13 pounds of illegal cannabis and 5,400 illegal cigarettes were seized.

The combined value of the seizures on May 17 and May 25 is about $400,000, police said.

“We will continue to address our communities' concerns of drug trafficking within Maskwacis. This is one of many ongoing investigations where our officers are targeting those who continue to bring drugs onto the nations,” said Insp. Leanne Macmillan, officer in charge of the Maskwacis detachment in a news release.

Shimal Saad, 33, is facing nine charges, including possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000 in relation to the May 25 seizure.

Saad was released following a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear in Edmonton provincial court on June 9.

Salih Khoshnaw, 32, and Leslie Dennehy, 35, each face multiple charges in relation to the May 17 seizure. Dennehy is scheduled to appear in Edmonton provincial court on June 10 and Khoshnaw on June 15.

None of the charges against any of the individuals have been proven in court.