Saskatchewan RCMP have charged two Edmonton men following the seizure of cocaine, firearms and prohibited weapons during an investigation in Lloydminster.
RCMP say officers executed a search warrant on Dec. 15 two businesses and an apartment in the city as part of an ongoing investigation.
Police seized approximately 20 grams of cocaine, cash, three firearms, ammunition, a conducted energy device, a baton and identification documents that did not belong to the occupants, according to RCMP.
Investigators later arrested two adult males in Kitscoty, Alta., in connection with the case. RCMP say further investigation determined the men were allegedly providing security services under the names “Tribal Land Division Incorporated” and “Tribal Land Enforcement Division” without the required licence.
As a result of the investigation, 25-year-old Carlietto Santoro and 30-year-old Darwin Fernandez Quispe, both of Edmonton, have each been charged with possession of cocaine, weapons trafficking, unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon, careless storage of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, illegal possession of government documents, and acting as a security guard without a licence.
Santoro is also charged with providing security guard services without a licence.
Both accused are scheduled to appear in Lloydminster Provincial Court on Jan. 21, 2025.
Saskatchewan RCMP say the investigation involved assistance from Onion Lake RCMP, the Lloydminster Crime Reduction Team, the North Battleford Crime Reduction Team, the Lloydminster Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team and the Battlefords Provincial General Investigation Section.
Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact Saskatchewan RCMP at 310-RCMP or report anonymously through Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
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