On April 2, 2022, Southey RCMP received a report of a suspicious vehicle in Southey. Officers located the vehicle. Investigation determined the adult female driver was wanted on warrants from Regina Police Service and she was arrested. Officers located drug paraphernalia and identification not belonging to the woman during the arrest. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers located and seized a number of assorted packages of suspected illicit drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and MDMA.
As a result of this, officers began an investigation into drug trafficking in Southey. As a result of this investigation, Southey RCMP executed a search warrant at a residence on Coleridge Street on June 10, 2022. Officers located and seized a number of packages and syringes of suspected illicit drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and fentanyl, as well as drug trafficking paraphernalia, a sum of cash, a crossbow, three firearms and identification cards. The attached photos show a small portion of the illicit drugs seized. Two individuals were arrested at the residence.
Darrian Laplante, 29, of Regina is charged with:
- 4 counts, fail to comply with the condition of a release order, Section 145(5)(a), Criminal Code
- 4 counts, possession, Section 4(1), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
- 4 counts, possession for the purpose of trafficking, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
- 1 count, alter the physical properties of cannabis, Section 12(1), Cannabis Act
- 2 counts, possess forged document, Section 368(1)(d), Criminal Code
- 1 count, possess counterfeit marks, Section 376, Criminal Code
- 2 counts, possess an identity document of another person, Section 56.1(1), Criminal Code
- 3 counts, possession of property obtained by crime less than $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code (Information #90460336)
- Laplante will next appear in Regina Provincial Court on June 21.
Ryan Robson, 44, of Southey is charged with:
- 4 counts, possession of a firearm contrary to order, Section 117.01(1), Criminal Code
- 4 counts, possession, Section 4(1), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
- 4 counts, possession for the purpose of trafficking, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
- 2 counts, possess forged document, Section 368(1)(d), Criminal Code
- 1 count, possess counterfeit marks, Section 376, criminal Code
- 2 counts, possess an identity document of another person, Section 56.1(1), Criminal Code
- 4 counts, possession of property obtained by crime less than $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code
- 1 count, fraud, Section 380, Criminal Code
Robson will next appear in Regina Provincial Court on June 17.
"We continue to investigate and analyze all of the drugs seized, but I can tell you that this is a very significant seizure," says Southey RCMP Sgt. Kim Stewart. "One of the things we seized is a jar full of fentanyl rocks. This is an extremely dangerous drug – just a small amount can cause a fatal overdose. Southey RCMP is committed to keeping drugs and firearms out of our communities through proactive, thorough investigations like this one."
Saskatchewan RCMP Police Dog Services assisted in the safe execution of the search warrant.