On December 8, 2021, Saskatchewan RCMP officers searched a vehicle and residence in Asquith, SK in relation to an ongoing investigation into illegal activity in the area.
This investigation is being led by Saskatchewan RCMP's Saskatoon Crime Reduction Team (CRT), with the assistance of the Federal Serious and Organized Crime unit, the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team, Digital Forensic Services and the Warman Detachment.
Officers located and seized drug trafficking paraphernalia, two firearms (one loaded) and a replica firearm. Two males were arrested in connection to these searches.
Gregory Friesen of Asquith, SK, is charged with:
- 4 counts, failure to comply with firearms prohibition, Section 117.01(1), Criminal Code
- 1 count, possession of a stolen firearm, Section 96(a), Criminal Code
- 1 count, unauthorized possession of a restricted firearm, Section 92(1), Criminal Code
- 1 count, unauthorized possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition, Section 95, Criminal Code
- 1 count, unsafe storage of a firearm, Section 86(2), Criminal Code
- 1 count, possession of property obtained by crime, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code
- 4 counts, failure to comply with release order, Section 145(5)(a), Criminal Code
Austin Derkatz of Red Deer, AB is charged with:
- 1 count, unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm, Section 91(1), Criminal Code
- 1 count, unauthorized possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition, Section 95, Criminal Code
- 1 count, unsafe storage of a firearm, Section 86(2), Criminal Code
- 1 count, possession of property obtained by crime, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code
Both men have been remanded to appear in Saskatoon Provincial Court on December 10, 2021.
"The Saskatoon CRT is committed to disrupting criminal activity and making our communities safer," says Sgt. Kory Davidsen of the Saskatoon CRT. "Illegally-possessed firearms have no place in our communities. I'm pleased that, in partnership with other Saskatchewan RCMP resources, we were able to take these firearms off the streets."