Two people charged in cocaine trafficking investigation

Several Saskatchewan Law Enforcement Response Team (SERT) units in southern Saskatchewan began an investigation into cocaine trafficking in the Saskatoon area earlier this year.

Following an ongoing investigation, officers arrested two adult males on June 27 and then executed search warrants at two residences: one in Saskatoon and one in Martensville.

They located and seized:

– approximately 310 grams of cocaine;

– approximately 170 grams of psilocybin;

– approximately 41 grams of MDMA

– more than 17,000 illegal cigarettes;

– a handgun and a loaded magazine;

– drug trafficking equipment; and

– a large sum of cash.

Following an ongoing investigation, Justin Maier, 36, of Martensville, and Simon Chan, 38, of Saskatoon, are each charged with:

– one count, trafficking in cocaine, section 5(1), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; and

– one count, possession of property obtained by crime of a value exceeding $5,000, section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code.

Justin Maier is also charged with:

– one count, possession of a restricted device, section 88 of the Criminal Code;

– one count, careless storage of a firearm, section 86(1), Criminal Code;

– one count, unauthorized possession of a firearm, section 91(1), Criminal Code;

– one count, possession of a firearm knowing that possession is not authorized, section 92(1), Criminal Code;

– one count, possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition, section 95(b), Criminal Code;

– one count, possession of a weapon obtained by the commission of an offence, section 96(1), Criminal Code; and

– one count, possession of a firearm contrary to an order, section 117.01(1), Criminal Code.

Simon Chan is also charged with:

– one count, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;

– one count, possession of MDMA for the purpose of trafficking, section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;

– one count, possession of psilocybin for the purpose of trafficking, section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;

– one count, possession of a prohibited device, section 88 of the Criminal Code;

– one count, possession of unstamped tobacco, section 32(1), Excise Act; and

– one count, possession of unmarked tobacco, section 11(8), Tobacco Tax Act.

Justin Maier and Simon Chan appeared in Saskatoon provincial court on June 28, 2024.

The Moose Jaw Crime Reduction Team (CRT) and the Swift Current and Yorkton, Saskatchewan Human Trafficking Response Teams (STRT) have been assisting in this ongoing investigation.

“These teams are highly specialized and target specific types of criminal activity in the province,” said RCMP Staff Sergeant Danny Donison, Manager of the Southern Saskatchewan Emergency Response Team. “This is a significant seizure, which highlights the Emergency Response Team’s commitment to public safety through an intelligence-led approach to combating serious crime in our communities.”