A total of five people, including two men who played for the University of Regina Rams in 2024, have been arrested and charged following a four-month investigation into drug trafficking across southern Saskatchewan.
According to the Regina Police Service (RPS), on the night of Feb. 20-21st, eight search warrants were executed across three locations in Regina, one in Alameda, another in Frobisher, in addition to three vehicles.
In total, 7.5 kilograms of fentanyl, 476 grams of cocaine, 22 grams of methamphetamine, $151,425 in cash, a prohibited .22 calibre handgun, a restricted 9mm handgun and three vehicles were seized during the searches.
Various police units, including tactical support teams and SWAT members, took part in the operation.
Speaking with reporters Monday afternoon, Inspector Gary Giroux of the RPS’s Investigative Services Division spoke to the size and importance of the seizure.
“If you were to look at street level, that’s 75,000 doses,” he explained. “So, 75,000 people in our community and maybe some surrounding communities, do not have access to that now.”
According to RPS, the seizure is believed to be valued at $1.5 million.
Five people, Emmanuel Ramadan Bashir, 36, Morteza Ahadi, 32, Randal Lee Racette, 44, in addition to the two Rams players, Tarick Polius, 24, and Michael Jourdan, 21, were arrested in the operation.
Bashir and Racette hail from Regina, while Ahadi is from Alameda, according to police.
The five accused face a combined total of 34 criminal charges.
They include commission of an offence for a criminal organization, conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000.
According to player profiles on the Regina Rams’ website, both Polius and Jourdan are from Toronto, Ont. and joined the Rams following stints with the Canadian Junior Football League’s (CJFL) Okanagan Sun.
Polius and Jourdan are set to appear at separate bail hearings on Thursday and Friday morning, respectively.
In a statement to CTV News Monday afternoon, a University of Regina spokesperson confirmed that Polius and Jourdan are student athletes that played with the Rams during the 2024 season.
“Due to the ongoing police investigation, we will not comment on the arrest or the charges. At this time, the individuals are suspended from the football team,” the statement read.
Large Seizures More Common
During the press conference, Insp. Giroux spoke to the growing threat and abundance of the deadly opioid in the city – noting that the latest seizure is still not as large as a notable bust in the city last year.
“Although at one time, it may have been unusual to see multi-kilos of methamphetamine or other drugs in our city, absolutely, it’s becoming more common,” he explained.
RPS did not disclose what criminal organization it suspected was involved in the crimes. However, Giroux revealed that police suspect the fentanyl was trafficked into Saskatchewan from eastern Canada.
The investigation is still considered ongoing.
