RCMP seize 4,000lbs of illegal cannabis, arrest three during traffic stop near Caronport
Three men have been arrested following a vehicle stop conducted by Saskatchewan Highway Patrol (SHP) and Moose Jaw RCMP near Caronport last week.
On April 7, SHP conducted a routine safety inspection traffic stop on a travelling commercial vehicle on Highway 1 near Caronport, during which officers determined the driver was in possession of illegal cannabis.
Assistance from Moose Jaw RCMP was requested during the incident after SHP officers noticed a second vehicle travelling closely with the transport truck. RCMP intercepted the second vehicle, and both driver and passenger were found to be in possession of a large amount of Canadian currency. All three individuals were arrested.
Execution of warrants obtained by RCMP led officers to seize nearly 4,000 pounds of illegal cannabis from the transport truck and a significant amount of money from the passenger vehicle. RCMP also determined that the two drivers and the passenger were known to each other. Three men from Ontario are now facing numerous charges in connection with the incident.
Harpreet Malhi, 40, Ramandeep Singh, 21, and Mehakdeep Maan, 23, have each been charged with one count of unlawful possession of more than 30 grams of dried cannabis, one count of unlawful possession of cannabis in a public place, one count of unlawful possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution and one count of unlawful possession of cannabis for the purpose to sell.
Maan, in addition to the above charges, is also facing one count of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. “While cannabis has been legalized in Canada, it is important to know that not all cannabis is legal,” said Cpl. Lana Garvie, RCMP Prairie Region Cannabis Coordinator, in a press release. “Seizures such as this are important to keep unregulated cannabis out of our communities. This is a significant seizure of illegal cannabis and this positive result is due to the collaborative efforts of Saskatchewan Highway Patrol officers, Moose Jaw RCMP Detachment, Saskatchewan RCMP’s Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit and Moose Jaw Police Service.”
All parties appeared in court on April 9 and in Moose Jaw provincial court on April 14.