Five facing drug, weapons charges after bust near Balgonie

Five people are facing charges after Regina police officers executed a high-risk vehicle stop east of the city Friday.

In a media release Tuesday, police said the incident was the culmination of a two-month-long investigation into drug trafficking and gun possession in the city.

On Friday, officers from the Street Gang Unit, Regina Drug Unit, SWAT and canine unit were deployed when one of the suspects was seen in a vehicle. Police followed the vehicle to a location near Balgonie, where a spike belt was laid down.

The driver tried to continue on the rims after the vehicle’s tires were deflated, but eventually stopped. At that point, SWAT and canine members conducted the high-risk vehicle stop and took five people into custody.

A search of the vehicle turned up a .223 assault rifle, an over-capacity .223 magazine, a non-functioning Taser, about eight grams of fentanyl, around 2.5 grams of methamphetamine, cellphones, a hard drive, a cutting agent and a folding knife. Another 54 grams of fentanyl were found on one of the individuals.

Four people from Regina and one from Calgary were charged with a variety of drug- and weapons-related offence, among others. The accused made their first court appearances Monday.