UPDATE: Release 2018-0173

March 20, 2018 1:10 PM

Saskatoon Police continue to investigate several recent overdose incidents involving cocaine tainted with fentanyl. Three men are expected to appear again in Saskatoon Provincial Court on March 21, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. Azam Kabani, DOB 1998/05/25, of Burnaby, AB; Japmanjot S. Grewal, DOB 96/04/16, of Calgary; and Shervin Beeharry, DOB 1998/09/21 of Burnaby, BC are facing charges of Trafficking a Controlled Substance. Further charges are being investigated in regard to the overdoses. The SPS is again advising members of the public who may be in possession of tainted cocaine to turn it in to Police at the Service Centre or call 306-975-8300 to have an officer respond so that it can be properly disposed of. No criminal charges will be laid. To date the SPS has not had anyone call or attend to headquarters wishing to turn over the drug.

UPDATE: Release 2018-0157

March 15, 2018 9:07 AM

The 25-year-old woman that was in hospital as a result of an overdose on the weekend has passed away. At approximately 10:30 a.m., March 10, 2018, a 911 call was received from a home in the 300 block of Avenue W North where two women, ages 25 and 48 were located. The 48-year-old woman was declared deceased at the scene. The 25-year-old was unresponsive and transported to hospital where she succumbed to her injuries on the evening of March 14, 2018. The Saskatoon Police Service is reminding members of the public that may have purchased cocaine that they can turn it in to Police at the Service Centre so it can be properly disposed of. The SPS is interested in the health and safety of the public, not in the laying of criminal charges. To date, no one has turned in any drugs to Police. Police are also continuing to advise the public of the dangers of taking any drugs not prescribed by a doctor, or dispensed by a pharmacist. The Saskatoon Police Service continues to investigate these incidents.

UPDATE: Release 2018-0155

March 12, 2018 10:00 AM

The Saskatoon Police Service will hold a media availability following a number of drug overdose incidents this past weekend. Members of the media are invited to attend SPS Headquarters at 11:00 a.m., March 12, 2018 in the Media Room for an update.

Update

Saskatoon Major Crime Section along with Saskatoon Integrated Drug Enforcement Street Team (SIDEST) have been working diligently to solve these numerous Overdose drug situations.

Saskatoon Police, along with Medavie Health Services and the Saskatoon Fire Department responded to a 911 call to a home on Murphy Crescent at approximately 7:30 a.m, March 10, 2018. Two men, ages 21 and 24 were located at the scene suffering from the effects of an apparent drug overdose. They were transported to hospital where they are recovering.

At approximately 9:45 a.m., officers responded to a home in the 3000 block of Arlington Avenue where two other men, ages 27 and 31 were also found to have overdosed. They were transported to hospital for treatment. One male is now deceased and the second male is recovering.

Then, at approximately 10:30 a.m. a 911 call was received from a home in the 300 block of Avenue W North where two women, ages 25 and 48 were located. The 48 year old woman has been declared deceased. Currently the 25 year old is unresponsive and receiving medical treatment in the hospital.

On Saturday March 10th, 2018 at approximately 22:15 hours a 29 year old male was arrested for Trafficking a Controlled substance while operating a dark colored SUV in regards to this situation.

At approximately 00:05 hours March 11th, 2018 another male was arrested for Trafficking a Controlled Substance while operating a dark colored SUV in regards to this situation.

At approximately 05:12 hours March 11th, 2018 SIDEST members with assistance of Tactical Support Unit members executed a CDSA search warrant at an address in the 100 block Pawlychenko Lane, a 29 year old male was arrested at this residence.

Some of the items seized from the arrest of these two individuals and the search at the residence in the 100 block Pawlychenko Lane are as follows:

Total Cash: $ 14,210.00

Total Cocaine/Fentanyl: 11.16 grams

Total Cocaine: 149.88 grams

Total Heroin: 31.13 grams

Total Marihuana: 34.44 grams

Along with a firearm and ammunition.

The above noted males will appear before a Justice of the Peace this evening to answer to numerous CDSA, and weapon charges.

Saskatoon Police Service is appealing to members of the public if you have purchased cocaine from a dealer which goes by the name “Lil Joe”, “Joe Bro” or have made contact with the dealer with the cellular number 306-881-7300 that the dosage of cocaine you have purchased might be laced with Fentanyl and has the possibility of being a lethal dose.

If you have purchased cocaine from the person with the above cellular number we are urging you to turn it into the SPS front desk so we can properly dispose of it. SPS is not searching to pursue charges for being in possession of this cocaine, we are interested in the health and safety of the public.

As stated in the previous press release the SPS is warning members of the public that any drug taken which has not been prescribed by a doctor, or dispensed by a pharmacist, poses a very serious risk of injury or death.

Saskatoon Police Service continues to investigate these incidents and are asking members of the public to contact the Saskatoon Police Service at 306-975-8300 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 if they have any information.

