Six people have been arrested and are facing charges, more than $60,000 in cash has been seized along with fentanyl, methamphetamine and loaded handguns following an investigation by members of the Saskatoon Integrated Drug Enforcement Street Team (SIDEST).

At approximately 5:00 p.m., September 29, 2016, members of SIDEST with assistance from the Tactical Support Unit conducted five high-risk arrests in the parking lot of a restaurant in the 300 block of Circle Drive West. Officers seized two loaded handguns, 50 fentanyl pills, 15 grams of crystal methamphetamine, and $3500 in cash. Officers then searched a room at a hotel in the 2000 block of Airport Drive, however no evidence was located inside. Just after midnight September 30, 2016, TSU served a high-risk warrant on a home on Rita Crescent as part of the same investigation. Several people were taken into custody at that location. Inside the home, officers located 641 fentanyl pills, 170 grams of crystal methamphetamine, three handguns (two were loaded), ammunition, prohibited magazines and approximately $57,400 in cash.

After further investigation six men between the ages of 18 and 28 are facing numerous charges including possession for the purpose of trafficking,possession of the proceeds of crime, and numerous firearm related charges. They appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this afternoon. Court information #s 43844333, 43844334, 33307217, 3307218. Seven people were released without being charged.

SIDEST is an integrated unit made up of members of the Saskatoon Police Service and the RCMP.

(Occurrence Number: 16-73416)