An astounding 17 pounds of fentanyl were recently seized during a traffic stop turned drug bust on the Trans-Canada Highway near Swift Current.
Saskatchewan RCMP's Roving Traffic Unit and Saskatchewan Highway Patrol were collaborating in proactive patrols of the Swift Current area on January 28 when a traffic stop was performed on a vehicle with two adult occupants.
Officers performed a search of the vehicle, uncovering around 17.5 pounds of fentanyl hidden under the spare tire and subsequently arrested 28-year-old Kunwardeep Singh and 26-year-old Swati Narula from Calgary.
Swift Current RCMP joined forces with Saskatchewan RCMP's Roving Traffic Unit and Saskatchewan Highway Patrol to conduct an investigation, the pair shared with investigators that they were headed to Regina.
Singh and Narula were each handed one count of trafficking a controlled substance and one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Supt. Grant St. Germaine, officer in charge of Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services, noted that only a few grains of fentanyl are enough to potentially cause a fatal overdose.
"This is a significant fentanyl seizure, we have prevented potentially millions of doses of this dangerous drug from entering our communities," said St. Germaine. "I hope this is a message to others who choose to transport illicit goods in our province, our officers are watching out for you."
The first court appearance of the accused was on January 29 in the Swift Current Provincial Court.