A total of 23 people including the Chief of the Key First Nation have now been charged as the result of a six-month prescription drug trafficking investigation between the Yorkton, Canora, and Kamsack RCMP.
The list of individuals facing charges has been unusual. With the latest round of warrants issued on Monday, the ages of those charged range from 22 to 78.
This week, Cpl. Tim Schwartz of the Yorkton General Investigation Section clarified that the case does not involve an organized trafficking ring.
"Basically, they are a group of individuals that were working independently. But because of the nature of the type of trafficking, I think they were aware of who else was selling, as well."
The charges, trafficking in a controlled substance and possession of property obtained by crime, are the same for everyone arrested. All of them were caught accepting money for prescription drugs, says Schwartz.
"It's basically just individuals having extra prescription pills and selling them."
The most notorious name on the list is 58-year-old Chief Clarence Papequash of the Key First Nation northwest of Kamsack. After an initial denial of wrongdoing last week, Papequash and his lawyer have made no statements to the media. The Chief told The Star Phoenix that he has no intention of resigning from his position.
The doctors of those arrested received notices from police informing them that patients may have been taking advantage of them, but no physicians are facing charges.
Six vehicles have also been seized as part of the investigation, and a 24th individual is facing charges for cocaine trafficking.
Police say the matter is still under investigation.
