A months long drug trafficking investigation in Prince Albert has led to the seizure of a large amount of drugs including more than three kilograms of cocaine, nearly 9 kilograms of marijuana, along with MDMA, psilocybin, over $1,500 in cash, ammunition, firearms, cell phones and other paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking.

The Prince Albert Police Service Crime Reduction Team, the Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team, Proactive Policing Unit and Patrol were all involved in this investigation. A news release from the P.A. Police Service says investigators had enough evidence to arrest 36-year-old Joshua Franc. He was arrested on February 20th outside a city-owned facility in Prince Albert.

Then, search warrants were executed at a home at 38- 1600 Muzzy Drive and a property west of Prince Albert, and two vehicles were also searched. Forty-year-old James Villeneuve was arrested at the home on Muzzy Drive

When conducting the search warrant at the property outside of the city, officers noticed a grow-op with about 100 cannabis plants. Police estimate that if this grow-op were to operate for a full year, it could produce more than $2-million worth of cannabis annually.

Franc and Villeneuve are facing charges relating to drug trafficking, firearms offences, Cannabis Act offences and possession of proceeds obtained by crime.

The Prince Albert Police Service was assisted in this investigation by the Red Deer Crime Reduction Team, Edmonton Police Service Surveillance Team, as well as analytical assistance from the Saskatoon Police Service and the RCMP.