La Ronge CRT seizes loaded gun, illicit drugs, and trafficking paraphernalia during search warrant

On February 20, 2024, the Saskatchewan RCMP La Ronge Crime Reduction Team (CRT) and Police Dog Services executed a search warrant at an apartment building in La Ronge, Saskatchewan as part of a drug trafficking investigation.

Officers located and seized a loaded handgun, 60 grams of cocaine, 31 grams of methamphetamine, a sum of cash and other drug paraphernalia.
Two adults were arrested at two different apartments.

35-year-old John McDonnel, from La Ronge, was charged with:

• two counts, possession contrary to order and fail to surrender authorization, Section 117.01(3), Criminal Code;
• two counts, fail to comply with release order condition, Section 145(5)(a), Criminal Code;
• one count, possession of property obtained by crime less than or equal to $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code;
• one count, unsafe storage of firearms, Section 86(2), Criminal Code;
• one count, possession of weapon for dangerous purpose, Section 88(2), Criminal Code;
• one count, unauthorized possession of a firearm/prohibited weapon or restricted weapon, Section 91(3), Criminal Code;
• one count, possession of a firearm/prohibited weapon when knowing possession unauthorized, Section 92(3), Criminal Code;
• one count, possession of restricted firearm/prohibited weapon with ammo without licence/registration, Section 95(2), Criminal Code;
• one count, possession of weapon obtained by crime, Section 96(2), Criminal Code and
• one count, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

At the time of John's arrest on February 20, 2024, he was on court ordered release conditions for a previous manslaughter charge.

30-year-old Denise Charles, from La Ronge, was charged with:
• one count, possession of property obtained by crime less than or equal to $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code;
• one count, fail to comply with probation order, Section 733.1(1), Criminal Code;
• one count, possession of weapon for dangerous person, Section 88(2), Criminal Code;
• one count, possession of the purpose of trafficking cocaine, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and
• one count, possession of the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and

Both John and Denise will appear in La Ronge Provincial Court on February 22, 2024 at 9:30 a.m.

Background:
The Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Team (SERT) consists of Saskatchewan RCMP's Crime Reduction Teams (CRT) and Warrant Enforcement Suppression Team (WEST), as well as the Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team (STRT). SERT will help the Saskatchewan RCMP continue to fulfill its mandate as the province's police force - keeping our communities safe.