23 ARRESTED IN DRUG BUST

A major drug bust in the city this week lead to the arrest of 23
people on drug-related offences.

On Wednesday and Thursday members of the Regina Integrated Drug Unit
and the Regina Integrated Proceeds of Crime armed with warrants
searched 12 homes through the city and one business Troy's Place Restaurant.

The drug bust, which involved more that 50 city police and RCMP
officers, was the culmination of a seven-month undercover operation.
The Department of Public Prosecutions and Immigration Canada were also
involved in the investigation.

Police seized 470 marijuana plants, six pounds of harvested marijuana,
210 gams of cocaine, 185 ecstasy pills, and $74,000 in cash, according
to RCMP spokesman Sgt. Brad Kaeding.

Police also seized 12 vehicles, many of them high-end luxury vehicles
including a Nissan SUV, MItsubishi Eclipse, Mazda Protege, an Acura
SUV, an Infiniti SUV and a Mazda RX8, either as offence-related
property or proceeds of crime.

Kaeding said investigators also ordered the seizure of one Regina
house in Wascana Estates worth an estimated $300,000.

Four of the 23 accused appeared in provincial court on Friday -- three
of whom were remanded until Monday while the fourth was released from
custody and is scheduled to reappear on May 24. The remainder of those
arrested will also be appearing in court on Monday.