MAIDSTONE, SK – A routine traffic stop by Saskatchewan RCMP’s Roving Traffic Unit on Highway #16 near Maidstone on November 14, 2024, resulted in the seizure of approximately 50 kilograms of cocaine and a quantity of cash.
At around 11:50 a.m., officers conducted a proactive patrol stop, and with the assistance of a Saskatchewan RCMP police dog, uncovered the drugs and money concealed in the vehicle. The driver, an adult male, was arrested at the scene.
Following the investigation, 31-year-old Gurvarun Matharu of Surrey, B.C., has been charged with:
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine under Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
- Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 under Section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.
Matharu appeared in North Battleford Provincial Court on November 15, 2024.
“This investigation highlights the capability of our traffic officers to disrupt criminal activity on Saskatchewan’s roadways,” said Supt. Grant St. Germaine, officer in charge of Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services. “Through keen investigative work and the support of a police dog, they’ve removed over 50 kilograms of cocaine from the illegal market. Their efforts not only enhance road safety but also dismantle criminal operations to protect our communities.”
This significant seizure underscores the critical role of traffic enforcement in combatting illegal drug trafficking in Saskatchewan.