Nearly 8 kg of cocaine seized, numerous arrests made in Battleford

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

On Feb. 2, a thoroughly-planned, unified enforcement effort was executed by the GTF and partner units.

Two vehicles were stopped by officers – one of them an on-shift drug delivery vehicle in the Battlefords area. Simultaneous search warrants were then executed at numerous residences in the Battlefords and Edmonton areas.

In total, officers located and seized:

– nearly 8 kilograms of suspected cocaine;

– 281 grams of Xanax tablets;

– more than 5000 pre-rolled cannabis joints;

– 898 cartons of contraband cigarettes;

– more than 10 kilograms of cutting agent;

– a large sum of cash;

– four illegally-possessed handguns.

“Battleford RCMP’s

Gang Task Force was created in 2020 to proactively target individuals who blatantly disregard community safety. This investigation showcases the officers’ investigational skills and determination. Through their work, a significant trafficking operation in the Battlefords has been dismantled. Between here and in Edmonton, we’ve taken eight kilograms of cocaine off the street,” said Sgt. Adam Buckingham, who oversees the GTF.

“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. It also shows the success that comes when we work seamlessly with partner

“The kids have to really listen to try and figure out what’s this story about and what it is trying to teach me,” said Chocan.

Thorpe says Aboriginal storytelling is part of the Grade 2 curriculum so the kids need to learn about it and they’ll be quizzed in her class afterwards.

“It’s a different way of storytelling so that’s interesting for the kids too,” said Thorpe.

“It’s awesome it can be presented to the Grade 2 in a differ - policing units, both with the RCMP and municipal forces. This complex and multi-jurisdictional investigation, and the planned and timed traffic stops and search warrant executions, just wouldn’t have been possible without their assistance.”

At this point in the investigation, Battlefords RCMP have laid ent way other than just through me.”

Métis Shirley Gervais and elders Rose and Vivan Whitsone will also be sharing oral Aboriginal stories with other elementary-grade students this week.

Chocan calls herself a senior, not an elder and was also hoping to throw in a few Cree words for students to learn as well, pointing to her moccasins as having a Cree language origin.

“You hear a lot of Cree in locations like the North Saskatchewan more than 25 charges against six individuals. All six have or will appear in North Battleford Provincial Court and information numbers have been provided for your reference.

Daniel Norgaard, 34, and Andrew Koberinski, 27, from North Battleford are each charged with:

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River that means Kisiskâciwan-sîpî or swift flowing,” she said.

Even though Chocan is Cree herself, she says her dad used to tell her she spoke “baby” Cree.

“Through my years in the residential school, I lost a lot of the words, but I can get by and speak Cree as best as I can,” she says.

She taught Grades 1-3 and 5 and last taught kindergarten in Saskatoon.

“I just loved it. I used to get satisfaction when they started reading and writing,” she said.