The RCMP has announced charges against three men in connection with two search warrants executed in Stoughton on Wednesday.
Dustin Rowlands, 24, of Stoughton, faces a total of nine firearms and other charges, including careless storage of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a stolen property (a firearm) and possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl).
Randy Payton, 25, also of Stoughton, faces a total of 27 firearms and other charges, including possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of stolen property (a firearm), use of a firearm in a careless manner, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, possession of a weapon obtained by commission of an offence, and possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl).
James Thomas, 25, of Edmonton, faces nine firearms and other offences, including careless storage of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of stolen property (a firearm), and possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl).
All three accused appeared in court in Weyburn on Thursday, and are remanded in custody until their next scheduled court appearance on Feb. 17 in Regina Provincial Court.
The Saskatchewan Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) executed the search warrants. The first was at a residence in the 300-block of Forget Street. The other was at a rural residence northeast of Stoughton in the rural municipality of Tecumseh.
The search warrants followed a month-long investigation.
No firearms were discharged during this incident. There have been some reports that a standoff occurred during Wednesday’s investigation, but according to media relations for the RCMP in Saskatchewan, this is not the case.
The CFSEU was assisted by the RCMP Emergency Response Teams from Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime unit, the Saskatchewan Police Dog Services, the Estevan Police Service, the Weyburn Police Service and members from multiple “F” Division RCMP Detachments.
