GOVERNMENT CONGRATULATES SPECIALIZED POLICING UNITS FOR ARRESTS MADE IN DRUG, ORGANIZED CRIME AND INTERNET CHILD EXPLOITATION CASES

Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister D. F. (Yogi) Huyghebaert acknowledged the successful work of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU), the Northern Drug Enforcement and Gang Unit and the Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit today in the Saskatchewan legislature.

"A major focus of this government is to create a more safe and secure province for the people of Saskatchewan," Huyghebaert said. "I am incredibly pleased to see some of our recent funding result in numerous high profile arrests. The government is thankful to these units for their contribution in helping to keep communities and citizens safe across our province."

In the 2008-09 budget, the government provided funding for nine new police resources dedicated to gang suppression as part of the CFSEU Unit. Since then, the CFSEU has investigated 16 organized crime networks. As of April 1, 2009, the CFSEU unit has arrested 55 individuals, laid 290 charges, and seized approximately $65,000 worth of illicit drugs, $88,000 in cash, 12 vehicles and 20 firearms.

The ICE Unit has been operational since early 2008. As part of the 2008-09 budget, the province dedicated 11 resources to this unit. Since then, the ICE Unit has been involved in more than 100 Internet related investigations involving abused children and has charged more than 20 people with pornography related offences.

The Government also provided funding for 7 police officer positions for the Northern Drug and Gang Enforcement Unit. The team has been operational since October 2009 and has assisted northern RCMP Detachments and Prince Albert Police Service in a number of investigations. As a result, 18 individuals have been arrested, 15 drug-related charges and 4 firearm-related charges have been laid, and 3 firearms, $6.195 in cash, 17.7 gm of cocaine, and 3.6 lbs of cannabis marihuana have been seized.

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For more information, contact:

Linsay Rabyj
Corrections, Public Safety and Policing
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2626

Inspector Garry Hoedel
Officer in Charge, CFSEU
Phone: 306-537-1064

Sgt. Patrick Nogier
ICE Unit
Phone: 306-717-8959

Inspector Mercer Armstrong
RCMP Federal Support Services Support Officer
Phone: 306-780-5269