Here’s how many guns, illicit drugs were seized by Sask. RCMP’s SERT unit in 2024

RCMP’s Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Teams (SERT) assisted in a firearms trafficking investigation in the Hudson Bay area. (Courtesy: Sask RCMP)

RCMP said it’s Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Teams (SERT) seized 230 guns and more than 17,000 grams of illicit drugs in 2024.

According to a news release, RCMP said violent firearms offences in the province increased by 271 per cent from 2014 to 2023. That represents a rise of 126 incidents in 2014 to 467 in 2023, RCMP said.

Illicit drugs seized by Saskatchewan RCMP in 2024 included 6,572 grams of cocaine, 4,732 grams of methamphetamine, 130 grams of fentanyl, 6,349 grams of other illicit drugs and 86 tablets.

“Saskatchewan RCMP’s SERT removed 230 firearms from the hands of criminals across the province in 2024,” the release also said.

RCMP pointed to some major seizures in 2024 that were a big part of the total numbers.

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That included a seizure of about 161 grams of methamphetamine and 14 guns from a business, rural property and vehicle in the Yorkton area last July and the seizure of 31 firearms from a residence in Lafleche, Sask. by Swift Current RCMP this past November.

RCMP’s SERT team is made up of the Crime Reduction Team, Human Trafficking and Counter Exploitation Unit, Offender Management Unit, Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Teams and Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Teams.

In all, SERT is made up of 108 officers and 31 civilian support staff with teams located in 10 different communities across Saskatchewan, RCMP said.