Two Arrested in Drug Bust – 30 charges

A male and female, both of Regina, are facing numerous drug and firearms-related charges after an investigation that resulted in the seizure of a significant quantity of cocaine, cash, weapons and ammunition. The operation involved several units of the Regina Police Service (Patrol, Canine, Investigative Response Unit, National Weapons Enforcement Support Team) and the Regina Integrated Drug Unit, made up of members of the Regina Police Service and RCMP.

On Sunday, January 6, 2013, as the result of continued investigation into the issue of drug-trafficking in the city of Regina, two search warrants were executed on apartments in the 2100 block of Rae Street and the 2900 block of 14th Avenue. These two particular addresses were associated to each other. Items seized in the search include:

• Three loaded assault rifles;
• Over 500 rounds of ammunition;
• Almost 330 grams of cocaine;
• Just over 11 grams of cannabis; and
• Two separate quantities of cash believed to be approximately 10-thousand dollars and approximately
  1700 dollars.

Two individuals, a 26 year-old male and a 23 year-old female, were arrested and charged with numerous offences as a result of the two searches. The male was also the subject of eight outstanding warrants, including drug charges and breaches.

Twenty-six year-old Kashif Jamaal THOMAS, DOB: 1986-03-16, of Regina is facing a total of 16 new charges.

They are:

• Possession of a Firearm while Prohibited – section 117.01(1) CC;
• Two charges of Possession of a Restricted Weapon while Prohibited – section 117.01(1) CC;
• Possession of Ammunition while Prohibited – section 117.01(1) CC;
• Possession of Prohibited Device (over-capacity magazine) – section 92(2) CC;
• Two charges of Store Restricted Weapon in a Careless Manner – section 86(1) CC
• Store Firearm in a Careless Manner – section 86(1) CC;
• Two charges of Possess Loaded Restricted Weapon – section 95(1) CC;
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (cocaine) – section 5(2) CDSA;
• Possession of Cocaine – section 4(1) CDSA;
• Possession of Cannabis – section 4(5) CDSA;
• Possession of oxycodone – section 4(1) CDSA;
• Possession of Proceeds of Crime Over $5,000 – 355(a) CC; and
• Breach of Undertaking – section 145(3) CC..

Twenty-three year-old Melanie K. ROPE, DOB: 1989-08-30, of Regina is facing a total of 14 charges.
They are:

• Possession of a Firearm without a License – section 91(1) CC;
• Two charges of Possession of a Restricted Weapons without a License – section 91(2) CC;
• Possession of Prohibited Device (over-capacity magazine) – section 92(2) CC;
• Two charges of Store Restricted Weapon in a Careless Manner – section 86(1) CC
• Store Firearm in a Careless Manner – section 86(1) CC;
• Two charges of Possess Loaded Restricted Weapon – section 95(1) CC;
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (cocaine) – section 5(2) CDSA;
• Possession of Cocaine – section 4(1) CDSA;
• Possession of Cannabis – section 4(5) CDSA;
• Possession of oxycodone – section 4(1) CDSA; and
• Possession of Proceeds of Crime Over $5,000 – 355(a) CC.

A third individual was arrested but subsequently released without charge. THOMAS and ROPE made their initial court appearances in Provincial Court at 9:30 a.m. this morning, Monday, January 7, 2013.
Investigation is ongoing.