PRINCE ALBERT — Police seized a cache of weapons, drugs and other items after executing a search warrant at a home in Nipawin.
On Nov. 10, officers with Prince Albert RCMP, supported by the Prince Albert Police Service CRT’s and the RCMP’s Critical Incident Response Team, did a search at the residence. Inside, they discovered a loaded prohibited pistol, a carbine rifle with no serial numbers and loaded prohibited magazines, a rifle, a replica submachine gun, and a taser. Police also seized materials consistent with drug trafficking, including a scale and packaging, along with 300 grams of an unknown white powder that has been sent to Health Canada for testing.
The search followed the arrest of 44-year-old John Fortin of Nipawin earlier that same day. Fortin was found to be in possession of a quantity of cocaine, say police.
This investigation determined drugs were being trafficked in the Nipawin, Tisdale, Melfort, Carrot River and surrounding area,” said Cpl. Tyler Kerr of the RCMP’s Crime Reduction Team in a media release. “It’s the result of inter-provincial collaboration and excellent work by our criminal analysts and investigators that we continue to identify sources of criminal activity and take enforcement action to help keep our communities safe.”
Fortin faces several charges, including possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, two counts of possession of firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized, and three counts of unsafe storage of a firearm.
He will appear in Nipawin Provincial Court on Dec. 17.
