Regina police have seized more than $1 million in drugs, primarily fentanyl, and firearms after a four-month drug trafficking investigation that led to five arrests, including that of two University of Regina student athletes.
Authorities executed a total of eight search warrants in three Saskatchewan localities, including Regina, Alameda, and Frobisher, on Feb. 20 and Feb. 21, resulting in the seizure of 7.5 kilograms of fentanyl, 476 grams of cocaine, and 22 grams of methamphetamine, the Regina Police Service (RPS) said in a Feb. 24 release.
Police also seized more than $150,000 in cash, a restricted firearm, a prohibited handgun, and three vehicles.
The estimated street value of the seized drugs is $1.5 million, Insp. Gary Giroux of the RPS Investigative Services Division told a Feb. 24 press conference in Regina.
“That is a significant amount of doses that have been taken off the streets to ensure the safety of our community,” he said.
Emmanuel Ramadan Bashir, 36, Morteza Ahadi, 32, Randal Lee Racette, 44, Tarick Polius, 24, and Michael Jourdan, 21, were arrested in connection with the investigation.
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Polius and Jourdan are student athletes enrolled at the University of Regina and played for the university’s football team, the Regina Rams, during last year’s season.
“At this time, the individuals are suspended from the football team,” University of Regina spokesperson Everett Dorma said in a statement, adding the university will not comment on the arrest or the charges, as the investigation is ongoing.
Both students are facing drug-trafficking charges, including possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, traffic in a controlled substance (fentanyl), possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000, and commission of an offence for a criminal organization.
The other three suspects face multiple charges related to drug trafficking, firearms offences, and criminal organization activities. All of the accused appeared in court for the first time in Regina Provincial Court on Feb. 21, police said.
Saskatchewan Fentanyl Action
The drug bust comes as fentanyl trafficking has emerged as a key issue in trade relations between Canada and the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico, with a reduced 10 percent levy on Canadian oil and gas, unless both countries tackle fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration across the border.
Trump on Feb. 3 agreed to a 30-day pause in tariffs on Canada, following a commitment from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to increase border security. He has since announced blanket tariffs on all aluminum and steel imports into the United States, set to take effect next month, and has also signalled more tariffs may come as his administration reviews trade deals with other countries by April.
In his latest remarks on Feb. 24, Trump said the tariffs on Canada and Mexico “are going forward, on time, on schedule.”
Earlier this week, the Saskatchewan government launched a set of strategies targeting the manufacture, trafficking, and consumption of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the province. Officials said the initiative wasn’t sparked by the tariff threat, but could help diplomatic efforts.
The strategy would include fines of up to $1 million for fentanyl dealers, the annulment of their driver’s licence, the suspension of all social benefits, and the designation of drug paraphernalia as street weapons, allowing police to confiscate them.
“Fentanyl is a poison that destroys lives, families, and futures,” said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe in a Feb. 25 social media post, commenting on his province’s initiative. “This deadly drug, and those who traffic it, have no place in Saskatchewan.”
Jennifer Cowan contributed to this report.
