Battlefords RCMP dismantle drug ‘delivery service,’ seize 8 kg of cocaine

The RCMP in the Battlefords seized almost eight kilograms of cocaine and laid more than 25 criminal charges while taking down an alleged drug delivery service.

According to the RCMP, “Project Falter” was a lengthy investigation by the Battlefords RCMP’s Gang Task Force and a number of partner agencies into illicit drugs coming into the community from Edmonton for distribution by a phone-based delivery service.

(RCMP/Submitted)

On Feb. 2, the police made their move, the RCMP said, stopping two vehicles while simultaneously raiding “numerous residences” in the Battlefords and Edmonton areas.

All told, Mounties said officers seized nearly eight kilograms of suspected cocaine, more than 5,000 pre-rolled cannabis joints, 898 cartons of contraband cigarettes, 281 grams of Xanax tablets, more than 10 kilograms of a “cutting agent” which is used to dilute drugs and increase profits, four illegally owned handguns, and a large sum of cash.

Sgt. Adam Buckingham, the officer who oversees the Gang Task Force, praised the efforts of his officers. He said the “complex and multi-jurisdictional investigation” required a lot of determination and investigative skill.

“Through their work, a significant trafficking operation in the Battlefords has been dismantled,” Buckingham said in a statement.

“Between here and in Edmonton, we’ve taken eight kilograms of cocaine off the street. We’ve kept hundreds of thousands of dollars out of criminal hands – but even more importantly, the flow of dangerous drugs in our communities has been severed.”

More than 25 criminal charges were filed against six people as a result of the investigation. All of them had court appearances scheduled for North Battleford, the RCMP said.

A North Battleford man also was charged in Edmonton after a related bust.