On July 3, 2020, at approximately 1:30 p.m., an officer from the Craik RCMP Detachment stopped a vehicle for speeding northbound on Highway 11 near Davidson, SK.

Officers located and seized approximately 50-1 kg bricks of suspected cocaine packaged for distribution, burner phones and approximately $3,600.

Officers from the Federal Serious and Organized Crime Team South assisted Craik RCMP with the investigation.

24-year-old Jitpartap Singh Bhatti, of Brampton, ON, was arrested and has been charged with trafficking cocaine.

A 30-year-old Harmdeep Sandhu, of Brampton, ON, was arrested and has been charged with trafficking cocaine and possession of proceeds of crime.

Sandhu and Bhatti appeared in Provincial Court in Moose Jaw, SK, on July 7, 2020, and were released on strict conditions. Both are scheduled to return to court on July 27, 2020, in Moose Jaw at 9:30 a.m.

The investigation is ongoing.

A full video statement about the investigation is available on our
Saskatchewan RCMP YouTube page here [https://youtu.be/6MutfjH9BRY].

Photos of the seized items are attached.

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Saskatchewan’s annual summer free fishing weekend is July 11 and 12.  On this weekend, residents and visitors can fish in any of Saskatchewan’s public waters open to sport fishing, no licence required.

“Free fishing weekend is a great opportunity to spend time outdoors to discover – or re-discover – the wonderful angling opportunities our province offers,” Environment Minister Dustin Duncan said.  “In
Saskatchewan, you can stay close to home while enjoying some of the best freshwater fishing in the world.”

During free fishing weekend, all other fishing regulations remain in
effect.  As well, anglers must respect current public health orders and guidance to help prevent further spread of COVID-19.

Travel restrictions may be in effect for some areas, so please check your destination before leaving home.  Free fishing weekend does not apply in national parks.  Anyone planning on taking fish out of the province must purchase a licence.

More information about fishing in Saskatchewan, including the 2020 Anglers Guide and updates about angling during the pandemic, is available atwww.saskatchewan.ca/fishing.

Saskatchewan’s first free fishing weekend was held in the summer of 1989, to encourage people to try sport fishing and to highlight the variety of angling opportunities in the province.

In 2015, the province held its first winter free fishing weekend, which is now also an annual event.  Each year, more than a quarter of a million people sport fish in Saskatchewan.

As of July 6, there are 805 total cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan. This includes two new cases reported on July 4, four new cases reported on July 5 and three new cases reported on July 6.

Three of the cases are in the Far North region, one is in the North region, one is in the Central region, two are in the Saskatoon area and two are in the South region. Detailed COVID-19 data for July 4, 5 and 6 is available at https://dashboard.saskatchewan.ca/health-wellness.

Of the 805 reported COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan, 59 are considered active. A total of 732 people have recovered. Four people are in hospital.

Three individuals are receiving inpatient care in the hospital; two in the North and one in Saskatoon. One person is in intensive care in Saskatoon.

Of the 805 cases in the province:
• 167 cases are travellers;
• 480 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
• 113 have no known exposures; and
• 45 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 55 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 338 of the cases are from the Far North, 189 are from the Saskatoon area, 119 from the North, 80 from the Regina area, 66 from the South and 13 from the Central region.
• 116 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 282 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 253 are in the 40-59 age range; 133 are in the 60-79 age range; and 21 are in the 80-plus range.
• 51 per cent of the cases are females and 49 per cent are males.
• 14 deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.
 
To date, 69,890 COVID‐19 tests have been performed in Saskatchewan. As of July 4, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 51,755 people tested per million population. The national rate was 78,238 people tested per million population.

COVID-19 Testing

Testing for COVID-19 is available to anyone currently working outside the home or anyone returning to work as part of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.

Testing is also available to:
• Those being admitted to acute care for more than 24 hours, including expectant mothers.
• Immunocompromised individuals and their health care providers.

If you are experiencing symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, headaches, aches and pains, sore throat, chills, runny nose or a loss of your sense of taste or smell, contact HealthLine 811 or your family physician for advice on whether you should be tested for COVID-19. You can also take the online self-assessment at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.

General public inquiries may be directed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca.

Find the most up-to-date version of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan at www.saskatchewan.ca/re-open.