Male arrested and charged after flight from police on HWY #16

A 45-year-old male from Saskatoon is facing a number of charges after attempting to flee from police on Highway 16 last week. 

Last Thursday (August 14) just before 8:00 am, Lanigan Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) attempted to make a traffic stop on Highway 16 near Elstow

The vehicle was travelling at high rate of speed and did not stop. Instead, it fled from police. Officers noticed a backpack thrown out of the vehicle window. The backpack was seized by police. 

Officers were able to locate the vehicle abandoned in a parking lot near Allan a short time later. Officers searched the area and were found two males and a female who were arrested.

During the investigation, officers seized about 20 grams of a substance believed to be carfentanyl, about 15 tabs of a suspected synthetic opioid, a small amount of methamphetamine, additional unknown pills, and drug trafficking paraphernalia inside of the backpack.

The substances will be sent to Health Canada for testing.

As a result, Shaymus Mergel from Saskatoon has been charged with a number of offences:

• one count, dangerous operation of motor vehicle, Section 320.13(1), Criminal Code;
• one count, flight from police, Section 320.17, Criminal Code;
• four counts, possession for the purpose of trafficking, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; and
• one count, possession – methamphetamine, Section 4(1), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

The other male and female were later released without charge.

Saskatoon RCMP assisted with the investigation.