The Estevan Police Service continued their ongoing fight against drugs with two drug busts in a three-day span.
The first occurred on April 29, when members of the EPS’s Drug and Intelligence Unit, Containment Warrant Entry Team, Criminal Investigations Division, Forensics Identification Unit along with uniformed members, executed search warrants at three different residences in the city. Also involved were members of the Estevan RCMP, the Weyburn Police Service, Carlyle RCMP Traffic Services and the Yorkton RCMP K-9 division.
The three search warrants were issued for a residence in the 600-block of Third Street, an apartment suite in the 700-block of Third Street and an apartment suite in the 1200-block of Fourth Street.
One search warrant occurred at about 7 a.m., and the other two happened simultaneously a few minutes later.
A search of the properties resulted in 72 grams of crack cocaine being seized, along with materials used for the sale, distribution and production of the drug. The total street value of the cocaine seized is valued at approximately $14,000.
Also seized were $2,700 in cash, one can of bear mace and a quantity of marijuana.
“It’s certainly exceptional work from these members,” said police Chief Paul Ladouceur. “It speaks to the ongoing effort that we’re putting in to reduce drugs in this community.”
Ladouceur has stated previously that the EPS has multiple drug investigations that are ongoing, and the police continue to gather intelligence.
“We will continue to affect search warrants throughout the city as we move forward,” said Ladouceur. “We want to send a strong message that illegal drugs are not welcome in this community, and we take a strong stance on it.”
Cody Allan Marsden, an 18-year-old male from Chilliwack, B.C., is facing four charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act: possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking; trafficking cocaine; production of cocaine; and possession of cannabis resin for the purpose of trafficking. He is also facing a charge for possession of a prohibited weapon under the Criminal Code.
Marsden will make his first appearance in court on June 6.
Kaelynn Amber Thomas, a 25-year-old woman from Estevan, was arrested on May 3 in connection with the May 3 drug bust. She is charged with trafficking cocaine, possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possessing the proceeds of crime and possessing stolen property. The first two charges are under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and the other two are under the Criminal Code.
She will appear in court on June 6.
The EPS is seeking one more person as part of this investigation. An arrest warrant has been obtained for Jessy James Marsden, 24, of Chilliwack. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call police.
The matter is still under investigation.
Cowan noted the investigation has been taking place for some time. It involved the drug intelligence units from both Estevan and Weyburn.
“Everything came together here on Friday (April 29), which was when we planned to execute the warrants on the residences,” said Cowan.
The other drug bust occurred on May 1. The EPS stopped a vehicle at the intersection of Fourth Street and 15th Avenue, as part of an ongoing investigation. A small amount of cocaine, prescription drugs and marijuana were seized.
Zachary Gessner, a 22-year-old man from Estevan, is charged with trafficking cocaine, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, trafficking prescription drugs, possession of prescription drugs for the purpose of trafficking, trafficking marijuana, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, obstruction of a police officer and breaching the conditions of a previous release.
The first six charges are under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and the other two are under the Criminal Code.
Cowan noted the arrest on May 1 was not a spin-off from the one two days earlier, but they are both part of the EPS’s ongoing crackdown of the drug trade.
This one also wasn’t the result of a lengthy investigation, as the EPS only started working on the file recently.
Gessner was remanded in custody and will appear in court on May 9.
