Investigation of illegal border crossing leads to the seizure of prohibited firearms and the execution of a search warrant in Saskatoon.
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Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Investigation into illegal border crossing leads to seizure of prohibited firearms and execution of search warrant in Saskatoon
Press Release
The RCMP's Northwest Region Federal Enforcement Team (FIET) was notified by the United States Border Patrol (USBP) that an individual had illegally crossed the border into Saskatchewan from Montana, USA, at a remote location south of Val Marie, Saskatchewan. The individual illegally entered the United States at the same location a short time later and departed in a truck. The vehicle was stopped by USBP officers and two adult males were arrested.
During the arrests, RCMP EIPF officers and the Ponteix RCMP detachment conducted a search of the area of Saskatchewan where the crossing occurred. Officers found and seized a box containing a gun that is banned in Canada. The investigation determined that the two adult males, both Canadian citizens, legally entered the United States in early January at a designated port of entry. The men are not currently facing charges in the United States. The men were returned to Canada and processed by the Canada Border Services Agency before being arrested by RCMP on January 7.
The ongoing investigation involved the execution of a search warrant at a residence on 9th Avenue North in Saskatoon on January 8. Upon entering the residence, RCMP officers found quantities of chemicals/compounds in several different locations and requested assistance from the Saskatchewan RCMP Explosives Disposal Unit and RCMP laboratory experts and undercover officers from the Saskatoon Police Department. The materials were seized and sent to Health Canada for further analysis. Four firearms, two of which are prohibited in Canada, and approximately 500 rounds of ammunition were also seized from the apartment.
Nathaniel Rose, 19, of Calgary, Alberta, and Arya Payendefar, 19, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, are both charged with:
1 count, unlawful possession of a weapon, section 91(1) of the Criminal Code.
1 count, possession of prohibited equipment without a license, section 91(2) of the Criminal Code.
1 count, unauthorized importation of a firearm into Canada, section 103(2) of the Criminal Code
1 count, clandestinely introducing into Canada a firearm, the importation of which is prohibited, controlled or regulated by the Customs Act or any other Act of Parliament, section 159(1) of the Customs Act
Information No. 24524286
This investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be laid. Both will appear in Swift Current Provincial Court on February 12, 2025.
"This is a great example of how collaboration and proactive action can quickly escalate into a major investigation involving multiple agencies and spanning borders and communities." "This highlights how police relationships are essential to disrupting criminal activity and ensuring public safety on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border," says Superintendent Andrew Farquhar of the RCMP, Northwest Region, in Saskatchewan.
The Ponteix RCMP Detachment, the Saskatchewan RCMP Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit and clandestine lab teams from the Saskatchewan RCMP and Saskatoon Police Service, the Canada Border Services Agency and the United States Border Patrol are assisting the RCMP's Integrated Border Enforcement Team, Northwest Region (IBETmin) with this investigation. We thank our partners for their continued cooperation and assistance.
Quick Facts:
The RCMP's Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) is dedicated to border policing in Saskatchewan and is part of the RCMP Federal Police, Northwest Region. IBET works to identify, investigate and intercept individuals, organizations or assets that threaten the national security of any country or are involved in organized crime. Attached are photos of the firearms found and seized. –30–
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