By Chelsea Laskowski

Bail received, trial set for alleged Terror Squad members

Sep 24, 2014 | 5:42 PM

Two men in their early 20s, both facing drug trafficking charges and allegations of Terror Squad affiliations, had their cases move forward in very different ways this week.

Tyson Lafonde, 25, and a 17-year-old boy were arrested on Sept. 12 after a combined RCMP and Prince Albert Police search of a home in the West Flat neighbourhood.

They found around $18,000 of pure cocaine, a stolen handgun, cash, bulletproof vest and a digital scale at that house and another in the city.

A Prince Albert Provincial Court judge heard the reasons for and against Lafonde’s release last week and concluded on Monday there isn’t enough cause to keep him behind bars.

Last week, the federal Crown brought an RCMP drug investigator to testify at Lafonde’s bail hearing.

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Cst. Gobeil stated the RCMP views Lafonde as a high-ranking Terror Squad member.

The federal Crown, Sylvia Verkerk, argued if released, Lafonde should be under house arrest.

This is one of the many conditions he is now under. He must live with his grandparents in Shellbrook 24 hours a day, leaving only for approved purposes.

He cannot possess any weapons, a cellphone, smartphone, drugs not prescribed by a doctor, or alcohol.

Lafonde is banned from bars or liquor stores, can’t be in Prince Albert without approved reasons, and cannot have contact with the co-accused 17-year-old boy.

Finally, his home or vehicle can be searched without warrant if police have reasonable grounds to believe Lafonde is using, has, or is in control of drugs.

He was released on a $1,200 cash recognizance.

Trial set for other alleged Terror Squad member

Jade Napope, 28, faces over 20 charges dating back to 2009, among them five counts of possession and possession for the purpose of trafficking. These include marijuana and cocaine.

At an Aug. 9 bail hearing, Sylvia M. Verkerk with the federal Crown laid out allegations of gang affiliations, midlevel drug dealing, and a man who is a menace to community safety.

Napope is in custody and has set five of his matters for an Oct. 27 trial. Those charges are possession of a controlled substance, breach of a recognizance, and assault.

claskowski@panow.com

On Twitter: @chelsealaskowsk