On July 16, at approximately 11:50 a.m., a Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) RCMP officer conducting patrols in the area observed a vehicle on Highway #1 near Wolseley travelling 164 km/hr.
The officer pulled the vehicle over for speeding and noticed a sum of cash and illegal cigarettes in plain view. A full search of the vehicle was conducted as part of the subsequent investigation. Officers seized the illegal cigarettes, 31 grams of cocaine and about $140,000 in Canadian bills. A photo of the seized cash is attached.
“CTSS officers conduct patrols in every corner of our province. They enforce traffic safety on our highways, grid roads and streets, but also disrupt criminal activity, as demonstrated in this case,” says CTSS S/Sgt. Chad McLeod. “Because this individual chose to drive at an excessive speed – and our CTSS officer was out patrolling – we’ve been able to take cocaine and the suspected proceeds of trafficking off the streets.”
As a result of this investigation, Jeffrey Weitzel (DOB: 1981-02-05) of Edmonton, AB is charged with:
- 1 count, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
- 1 count, possession of a controlled substance, Section 4(1), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
- 1 count, possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code
- 1 count, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, Section 355(b), Criminal Code
- 1 count, possession of unmarked/unstamped tobacco products, Section 121.1(1), Criminal Code
- 1 count, possession of unstamped tobacco products, Section 32(1) Excise Act
- 1 count, purchase or possess unmarked tobacco, Section 18.1, Tobacco Tax Act of Saskatchewan
Weitzel will appear in court on October 19, 2021.
