SASKATCHEWAN — Six guns, including four that were loaded, were seized from a vehicle following a traffic stop near Poundmaker First Nation, according to the Saskatchewan RCMP.
In a Nov. 8 release, police said the North Battleford Crime Reduction Team (CRT) was conducting enforcement operations in the Poundmaker First Nation area with assistance from Cut Knife RCMP when officers stopped a black Escalade SUV. The vehicle was occupied by a male driver, a female passenger and two dogs.
RCMP said the passenger, identified as 27-year-old Caroline Eagleshield, was wanted on outstanding warrants for assault with a weapon and failure to appear in North Battleford Provincial Court. She was arrested at the scene.
Police said officers also found unstamped tobacco in the vehicle. The driver, identified as 40-year-old Robert Noorgard of Cut Knife, was arrested under the Federal Excise Act, 2001.
According to RCMP, a search of the vehicle revealed a loaded sawed-off shotgun, prompting officers to re-arrest both occupants for possession of a loaded prohibited firearm. A second loaded firearm was found under blankets in the back seat.
Officers also discovered a hidden compartment beneath two aggressive dogs. After removing the animals, RCMP said they found and seized four additional firearms, bringing the total to six.
“A total of six guns were seized from the vehicle, including four that were loaded with ammunition in the chamber – which means our officers had to clear the weapons immediately upon locating them for everyone’s safety,” said Cpl. Sowers of the North Battleford RCMP CRT in a statement. “Two firearms had serial numbers altered or removed and three firearms were cut down to a prohibited length. Take a moment to think that this vehicle had been traveling with all the other motorists on Saskatchewan roads – our team is grateful we were able to remove these guns from our communities and streets.”
Police said another hidden compartment contained suspected drugs, a collapsible baton and cash.
RCMP said Noorgard was wearing soft body armour and carrying a large hunting knife when arrested. He faces 32 charges, including nine counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, six counts of possession of a firearm without a licence, and two counts of possessing drugs for the purpose of trafficking.
Eagleshield, of Sweetgrass First Nation, faces 47 charges, including 15 counts of failure to comply with a release order, eight counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and two counts of possessing drugs for the purpose of trafficking.
Both are also charged under the Excise Act, 2001 for possessing unstamped tobacco.
RCMP said the investigation remains ongoing.
