COMBINED SPECIAL POLICE UNIT PAYS DIVIDENDS WITH BIG BUST

New government funding designed to attack organized crime helped
provide extra police for an investigation in Saskatoon that resulted
in the arrest of four people Friday and the seizure of a kilogram of
cocaine, an ounce of crack, four vehicles and $35,000 cash.

The successful conclusion of an investigation that began last December
was celebrated Tuesday at the Saskatoon police station by municipal
police and RCMP, including the combined forces special enforcement
unit (CFSEU). The unit was created in 2005 with $2 million per year
earmarked to attack organized crime, said Insp. John Cantafio, head of
CFSEU.

That unit worked with members of the Saskatoon integrated drug unit,
the Saskatoon Police Service street crime unit and support services
from both forces, including a criminal intelligence analyst.

"That financial support allowed stepped up activity," Cantafio
said.

The investigation involved about 30 officers who often put their
personal lives on hold as they worked around the clock to complete the
job, said Insp. Jeff Bent of the Saskatoon police.

On Friday afternoon, 15 officers stormed a house in the 200 block of
Thomas Crescent in the west-side neighbourhood of Pacific Heights.

Darren Craig Harper, 35, Chad Michael Waldner, 26, both of Saskatoon,
and Jonathon Robert Kearney, 24, of Calgary were arrested in
connection with the raid.

That evening, police arrested Crystal Anne Servetnyk, 28, of Saskatoon
at a house in the 400 block of Stensrud Road, in the northeast
neighbourhood of Willowgrove.

Harper is charged with directing a criminal organization,
participating in a criminal organization, criminal conspiracy,
possession of property obtained by crime and trafficking in cocaine
and possession for the purpose of trafficking. He was remanded in
custody and returns May 2 for a bail hearing.

Harper is already facing charges that were laid following a 2003
police sweep. He was free on bail at the time of the arrest, police
said.

Waldner and Kearney are each charged with participating in a criminal
organization, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, trafficking in cocaine
and possession for the purpose of trafficking. Kearney is also charged
with possession of property obtained by crime.

Servetnyk is charged with participating in a criminal organization,
conspiracy to traffic in cocaine and possession of property obtained
by crime.

Police also seized four vehicles during the arrests.

At the police station Tuesday, investigators turned back the wrapping
on a kilogram brick of cocaine to reveal a mushy, smelly centre that
looked like cottage cheese. The odd appearance of the drug apparently
was the result of an attempt to dissolve it under running water as
officers forced their way into the house Friday.

Police also displayed a gram of crack cocaine seized in the raid and
Ziplock bags of cash, including $30,000 in $20 bills, bundled into
thick packets of $5,000 each.

A kilogram of cocaine is a significant amount in the Saskatoon market
and could reach as many as 2,000 people on the street, Bent said.