LLOYDMINSTER – A convicted fentanyl trafficker who was serving his jail sentence in the community under a Conditional Sentence Order (CSO) is back behind bars after breaching the terms of his release and being convicted of drug trafficking again.
Todd Conrad Antonenko, 56, appeared in Lloydminster Provincial Court on Aug. 21 and pleaded guilty to breaching his 18-month CSO, which court documents reveal had been imposed in December 2024 following a conviction of possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking. Judge Michele Baldwin ordered Antonenko to serve the remainder of his sentence in custody.
Antonenko was arrested earlier this year, on March 10, during a traffic stop in Lloydminster by the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Trafficking Response Team (STRT). According to an RCMP media release, Antonenko was charged with multiple offences in connection with an ongoing drug trafficking investigation. Saskatchewan RCMP’s Lloydminster Crime Reduction Team and Maidstone Detachment assisted with the investigation, along with Lloydminster RCMP.
Officers seized 9.2 grams of methamphetamine, 3.1 grams of fentanyl, 1.7 grams of cocaine, drug packaging materials, a digital scale, pepper spray, ammunition, and three firearm magazines. A search warrant executed at a recreation vehicle in Waseca, where Antonenko was living, led to the seizure of bear spray.
Also on Aug. 21, Antonenko pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 30 days, to be served concurrently, which means no additional jail time. Nine other charges were withdrawn by the Crown, including possession of fentanyl and cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of prohibited weapons and devices and multiple breach of court orders.
Joint Sask. and Alta. police operation
According to court documents and an RCMP media release, Antonenko’s original CSO stemmed from a July 2023 joint police operation. The operation involved multiple RCMP units from Saskatchewan and Alberta, including North Battleford RCMP Crime Reduction Team, Lloydminster RCMP Crime reduction Unit and General Investigations Section, Lloydminster RCMP Police Dog Unit, Eastern Alberta RCMP CRU, Vermilion RCMP Traffic Unit, RCMP Air Services, and Lloydminster Bylaw Enforcement.
During that operation, Antonenko was found with 120 grams of suspected cocaine, 12.6 grams of suspected fentanyl, and $600 in cash. He was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime.
Several other charges against Antonenko were withdrawn in court appearances in Lloydminster Provincial Court throughout October 2024 before Judge Stephen Kritzer, including possession of methamphetamine for trafficking, possession of prohibited weapons, and failure to comply with court conditions.
Antonenko remains in custody to serve the remainder of his 18-months CSO in jail. He was also given firearms ban for life.
lisa.joy@saskcrime.ca
