Multiple arrests in months long drug investigation in northern Saskatchewan

RCMP arrested 43 year old Jamey Hanson and 33 year old Olga Volosheniuk after their vehicle was stopped by police on Highway #4 south of Meadow Lake last Thursday. The vehicle stop and search was connected to a drug investigation by Buffalo Narrows RCMP that began in January of this year.

In that vehicle search police say they seized 223 grams of crack cocaine, 14 grams of cocaine, a quantity of cash, cellular phones and various drug packaging materials. And on that same day multiple search warrants were executed; one in Buffalo Narrows and one in Saskatoon.

In Buffalo Narrows, RCMP seized 180 grams of illegal cannabis, a quantity of cash and multiple scales. In Saskatoon police seized small quantities of illegal cannabis, psilocybin, a quantity of cash and multiple scales.

Hanson who is from the communities of Saskatoon and Buffalo Narrows and Volosheniuk, from Saskatoon, are both facing charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and possession of property obtained by crime. Hanson is also charged with fail to comply with a release order. A third person, 58 year old Howard McCallum from Buffalo Narrows is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possess illegal cannabis, and possess cannabis for the purpose of selling.

Also assisting Buffalo Narrows RCMP with this investigation was Prince Albert and North Battleford RCMP Crime Reduction Teams, North Battleford RCMP Gang Task Force, Saskatoon Integrated Intelligence Unit, Saskatoon Warrant Enforcement Suppression Team, Saskatoon Police Service Crime Reduction Team, Saskatoon Integrated Intelligence Unit and Prince Albert, Meadow Lake and Warman RCMP Detachments.

Buffalo Narrows RCMP Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Shawn Carter says, “The Saskatchewan RCMP has resources and officers trained to work in collaboration with our detachments. The number of locations where arrests and search warrants were executed speaks to the importance of having supports in place to readily assist ongoing investigations taking place throughout our province.”