Saskatchewan RCMP said they have made a number of arrests and laid a number of charges as a result of operations in Pelican Narrows.
RCMP said local detachment officers along with members of the La Ronge Crime Reduction Team arrested 12 people over the past weekend, who are charged with a range of offenses. In total police said they removed over 200 grams of meth from the community along with five guns.
Among the arrests made was Ashton Ballantyne, who was wanted on warrants for assault and assault with a weapon. Police said their investigation led them to a cabin where Ballantyne had recently been and found he’d left two guns there. The suspect eventually turned himself in and is now facing seven additional firearms charges.
Also charged is a male youth who was arrested after he ran away from RCMP. As the suspect was running officers noticed he threw something away, which was found to be a hatchet and a machete. The youth is charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Police as well arrested 30-year-old Earl Ballantyne and 24-year-old Raeanna Michel for firearms offenses. The two were arrested and charged after police found they were carrying a gun and ammunition in their bag. Ballantyne is also facing charges for breaching release conditions.
RCMP said they also arrested three people after making a traffic stop in Pelican Narrows on Feb. 10. Police said they saw open alcohol in a vehicle which led them to search where they found 60 grams of meth along with a hatchet. 31-year-old Angelique Michel, 29-year-old Glen Ballantyne and 19-year-old Samara Linklater are facing drug and weapons charges.
Also on Feb. 10 a search warrant was executed at a home in the community which led to 150 grams of meth and two guns being seized. 33-year-old Christa Sewap, 30-year-old Gavin McCallum, 27-year-old Colton Bighetty and 19-year-old Nadine Linklater are all facing charges as a result.
Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) Chief Karen Bird thanked the RCMP for their work and said the First Nation will also be working to address the root causes of drug use and crime in the community.
“We are deeply grateful for the RCMP’s efforts to directly confront theses challenges,” she said.
RCMP Inspector Stephen Bergerman said the arrests and charges show the RCMP’s commitment to public safety in the community. He as well thanked community members for their patience and assistance in carrying out their work.
“Violence and drug trafficking will not be tolerated in Pelican Narrows,” he said.
(Top Photo: Some of the items seized by RCMP in Pelican Narrows. Submitted Photo.)