News Releases

Saskatchewan Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, Saskatoon office, in partnership with the Saskatoon Police Service Street Gang Unit and with assistance from the Saskatoon Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit has laid charges under project FOLSOM. The 7 month investigation targeted individuals responsible for distributing cocaine in Saskatoon and communities in rural Saskatchewan.

Christopher CHU (31 years old), Joshua HOEBER (23 years old), Christopher PANG (31 years old), and Bennet TSE (28 years old) have been charged with: Trafficking in Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of the Proceeds of Crime Over $5000 and Conspiracy to Traffic in Cocaine.

In October and earlier this month, 4 search warrants were executed in the city of Saskatoon at houses in the 1100 block of Hazen Street and the 700 block of Cowley Road, an apartment in the 200 block of Herold Terrace and a townhouse in the 300 block of LeValley Cove. During these searches, Police seized approximately 3 kilograms of cocaine and $83,000.00 in Canadian currency. Other items derived from the proceeds of crime and offence related property were also seized, including 6 vehicles. An additional search warrant was executed at a residence in the city of Vancouver, British Columbia.

Christopher CHU remains in custody, his next court appearance is at Saskatoon Provincial Court on Monday, November 21, 2011. Bennet TSE was arrested in British Columbia and his next court appearance is Friday, November 18, 2011, at Saskatoon Provincial Court. Joshua HOEBER remains in custody, next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, November 24, 2011, at Saskatoon Provincial Court. Christopher PANG has been released by the Courts on bail conditions and his next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, December 15, 2011, at Saskatoon Provincial Court.

The investigation is ongoing and further charges may be laid.

Project FOLSOM involved inter agency assistance from the Calgary Police Service, Vancouver Police Department and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). Many supporting units from both the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Saskatoon Police Service also contributed to the investigation.

Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) is funded by the Government of Saskatchewan through the Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing. CFSEU is an investigative body comprised of personnel from partner police services from Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Regina and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The mandate of CFSEU is to expose, investigate, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute organized crime enterprises.

For more information members of the media may contact Inspector Kelly STIENWAND, Officer In Charge (OIC), Saskatchewan CFSEU at 1-306-765-5547.