Saskatoon pharmacist charged with drug trafficking

A Saskatoon pharmacist is facing criminal drug charges.

Police said the pharmacist was connected to 700 Oxycodone pills seized during a major drug bust in January, leading to an investigation conducted with help from the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals.

“Initial review of the pharmacy records from September 2022 to January 2023 show over 24,000 Schedule 1 narcotics are unaccounted for from the pharmacy inventory,” police said in a statement Wednesday.

Police said officers made a number of seizures in connection with the case, including pharmacy records and other documentation, a number of pharmaceutical drugs, pill bottle labels, a 2018 Honda Fit and a .22-calibre firearm.

Jenna M. Ternan, a 41-year-old pharmacist, has been charged with two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, two counts of possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000, unsafe storage of a firearm, and failing to hold a firearm licence.

Police said a 46-year-old Saskatoon man, identified through court records as Elmer J. Hanson, was also arrested in connection with the case. He’s also facing drug charges in addition to obstruction, unsafe storage of a firearm, and failing to hold a firearm licence.