Two Burnaby men are facing drug trafficking charges after a series of deadly overdoses from suspected fentanyl-tainted cocaine in Saskatchewan earlier this month.
Saskatoon police first put out a public safety advisory on March 10 after emergency crews were called to three different locations within three hours that morning to treat six people suffering from apparent illicit drug overdoses.
Three people involved died.
After investigating links between the three incidents, police arrested three men and executed a search warrant at a Saskatoon home where they recovered more than $14,000 in cash, fentanyl-tainted cocaine, cocaine, heroin, marijuana and a firearm with ammunition, according to police.
Azam Kabani and Shervin Beeharry, two 19-year-olds from Burnaby, have now been charged with trafficking, along with co-accused Japmanjot S. Grewal, 21, of Calgary.
Kabani appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court Wednesday and was released on bail.
Under the conditions of his bail, he must live with his father in B.C., he cannot visit Saskatchewan unless for court, he can’t have a smartphone, and must follow a curfew.
Beeharry was expected in court for a bail hearing Thursday, and Grewal was expected to appear on March 28.
Emergency crews in Saskatoon responded to more incidents after the arrest of the three men, and the Saskatoon Police Service said it was investigating whether those calls are connected to the March 10 incidents.
The police service also warned the public that cocaine purchased from a dealer going by the names “Lil Joe” or “Joe Bro” or by using the cell number 306-881-7300 may be laced with fentanyl and potentially lethal.
Saskatoon police urged people to turn in cocaine purchased from the dealer with that number to police.
“SPS is not searching to pursue charges for being in possession of this cocaine; we are interested in the health and safety of the public,” stated a press release.
