REGINA – The amount of illegal drugs on Regina streets is increasing, but so is the amount of drugs seized by police.
In a media release, RPS said they seized 10.4 kg of fentanyl alone since January - a significant amount given the small quantities that can prove deadly.
"The 10.4 kilograms in seizures represents millions of potentially lethal doses and is the largest amount seized by the Regina Police Service in a single year to-date," RPS said. "Enforcement efforts will not slow down and this number is expected to rise by the end of this year."
In addition to the fentanyl seizure, RPS has also taken 2,697 grams of cocaine and 9,226 grams of methamphetamine off the streets in the same time period.
"These illicit drugs were confiscated through 727 different seizures made by officers in our investigative units such as the Street Gang Unit, the Drug Unit and the Crime Reduction Team," said RPS. "Patrol officers have also played an important role. They often locate illicit drugs in the course of their duties conducting traffic stops and during routine calls for service and arrests."
Compared to recent years, the 2023 fentanyl numbers have been the highest (6,997 grams in 2020, 8,243 grams in 2021, 5,750 grams in 2022). There has been less cocaine and methamphetamine seized this year as compared to years previous (cocaine: 13,061 grams in 2020, 15,749 grams in 2021, 15,334 grams in 2022; methamphetamine: 18,439 grams in 2020, 22,121 grams in 2021, 14,915 grams in 2022)
In addition to illegal drugs, police often seize weapons and proceeds of crime during these investigations.
To anonymously report information about drug trafficking in Regina, people can contact the RPS Drug Tip Line at (306) 777-8602 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Police also encourage members of the public to obtain free Naloxone kits, which can be used to save the life of someone experiencing an overdose.
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