The recent large seizure of guns and drugs by police across Saskatchewan and Alberta hasn’t hindered the Estevan Police Service’s plans to put an end to the drug activity in Estevan, a point of emphasis that Estevan police Chief Paul Ladouceur has stressed since he took over as police Chief in March, last year.
“We know some of that spinoff is making its way to our community,” he said, referring to the bust known as project FORSETI that put a large dent into the criminal operations performed by the Hells Angels and Fallen Saints.
A slight delay, however, is all that’s been accomplished Ladouceur said, and it won’t be long until new suppliers fill the void.
“(Saskatoon Police) did a fantastic job, it was a fantastic sweep and it definitely put a dent in it, but now who’s going to come out of the woodwork to fill that gap is the question we have to be ready for,” Ladouceur said. “It’s no different from when a pizza shop closes, another one is waiting on the back door step.”
Last week’s strategic planning meeting outlined where police currently stand when it comes to establishing new resources and networks to combat the transient drug activity in the Energy City, and the police chief said everything is going according to plan.
“We’re right on target for where we want to be in 2015,” he said.
According to Ladouceur the new drug intelligence unit has been finalized and will now begin to work closely with neighbouring agencies in and out of the province.
The new Containment Warrant Entry Team, whose formation began last September, is in the midst of a selection process.
Potential candidates recently finished the physical component of their training. A shooting exercise and a vigorous interview process will follow, both of which will be completed by the end of February when the team is finalized and ready to enter the field.
Ladoucuer said criminals are well aware of the increased emphasis on drugs and when a large bust like the one in Saskatoon takes place, it makes them assess the situation more closely, but doesn’t deter them from making moves.
“I think if anything, it makes people more cautious and secretive in their activities because they’re aware police are on to them and actively investigating them,” he said.
Ladouceur attributed some of the drive drug traffickers and suppliers have despite large seizures to the expanding capabilities of the Internet and social media.
“It’s quicker to replace those spots today with the Internet and cell phones,” he said. “(Criminal) networks are far better today than they were 50 years ago when it comes to trafficking and accessing products.”
Items like throw phones and pay-as-you-go phones are popular items of a prominent drug supplier’s repertoire, allowing them to remain largely undetected. Ladouceur said police continue to develop their digital and technological capabilities as well, with some of that development aimed at social media. Monitoring social media activity is a part of the police routine, but Ladouceur said covering it all is nearly impossible.
“Obviously we have our techniques … but we will rely on the public to inform us if they see something out of the norm,” he explained, noting an online profile picture of someone holding a gun for example, is an item he would expect would be reported to the police if they hadn’t caught sight of it already.
“If people don’t think we’re not monitoring those things they’re dreaming,” Ladoucuer said.
