Former First Nation chief charged with drug trafficking

The former chief of Key First Nation, Sask. has been charged with drug trafficking.

The arrest happened Tuesday around 5 a.m. when a warrant was executed at a home on the First Nation, northeast of Yorkton.

Clarence Papequash, 64, faces five counts of possessing a controlled substance for the purposes of trafficking. Other charges include possession of a gun and ammunition, careless storage of a gun and ammunition and possession of property obtained by crime.

RCMP detachments from nearby Kamsack and Canora were joined in the investigation by the Regina police dog unit and Yorkton forensic team.

Papequash was  given a six-month conditional sentence back in 2014 for trafficking morphine.

He was elected chief of Key First Nation in 2008, and re-elected in 2010 and 2012.

As of Feb. 15, Papequash is in custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 22.