What started out as a traffic stop for the Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Service on March 15, near Maidstone, ended in a drug seizure resulting in two Waldheim residents facing drug and theft charges.
According to RCMP, the driver and passenger were in possession of illegal tobacco, which led to a vehicle search. Following the search, methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and a undisclosed amount of cash were found.
After the initial seizure, the Saskatchewan RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime North (FSOC-N) executed a search warrant at an associated residence in Waldheim. A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of more methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanl; along with prescription pills, a modified shotgun, two conducted energy devices and over $30,000 cash.
Forty-eight-year-old Jenna Beamish and 28-year-old Dylan Bendall, both from Waldheim, have each been charged with three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking. Both individuals were also charged with one count each of possession of property obtained by crime less than $5,000 and possession of unstamped tobacco products.
Overall, the amount of methamphetamine and fentanyl seized was significant, as further charges are pending since the investigation is ongoing.
“The amount of fentanyl that was seized by our officers represents over 2000 individual doses,” said Inspector Farquhar, who is the inspector in charge of the of the Federal and Serious Organized Crime unit.
“This drug (fentanyl) is odorless and tasteless, and therefore hard to detect. A lethal dose of pure fentanyl is potentially less than two milligrams, which is equivalent to about two grains of salt. The amount seized is indeed significant and could have caused a lot of harm to individuals within our communities,” added Farquhar.
The Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services and FSOC-N also worked with the Rosthern RCMP during the investigation.
Both Jenna Beamish and Dylan Bendall are scheduled to appear next in court on March 22, 2021 in Lloydminster.