Chief Karen Bird of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation at a press conference in Prince Albert on Feb. 5, 2024. (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

Guns and drugs in Pelican Narrows

Five guns, 210 grams of meth seized over weekend in Pelican Narrows

Feb 12, 2024 | 5:03 PM

RCMP in Pelican Narrows had a busy weekend, arresting a dozen suspects and seizing five guns along with over 200 grams of meth.

RCMP shared this photo of the items seized in two days in Pelican Narrows.

Police say that on Feb. 9, they searched a cabin looking for Ashton Ballantyne who had outstanding warrants for assault and gun offences. They found two guns at the cabin and Ballantyne later turned himself in at the detachment.

He was charged with seven gun-related offences and one count of weapons trafficking.

Also on Feb. 9, officers were patrolling the community when they say a male youth run away from them. As they approached the youth, he threw something away from him, which turned out to be a machete and a hatchet. The youth was arrested and charged and cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

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The following day, police were again on patrol when they saw a man wanted for failing to attend court. The man, Earl Ballantyne, age 30 and 24-year-old Raeanna Michel, were arrested.

Officers found and seized a gun and ammunition in their bag. They each face six gun-related charges.

Also on Feb. 10, officers found open alcohol in a vehicle that had been pulled over in a traffic stop. In the follow-up investigation, 60 grams of match and a hatchet were found in the vehicle.

Angelique Michel, age 31 and Glen Ballantyne, age 29, along with Samara Linklater, age 19, were all charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and a weapons charge.

The same day, police executed a search warrant a home in the community where they found 150 grams and two guns. One of the guns was sawed-off.

Christa Sewap, age 33, Gavn McCallum, age 30, Colton Bighetty, age 27 and Nadine Linklater, age 19 are all facing trafficking and gun related charges.

All 12 accused have been remanded into custody.

The RCMP says it also seized contraband alcohol via several checkstops in town. Alcohol is prohibited by local bylaw.

“This action by the RCMP is a crucial step in our collective battle against the drug and substance abuse issues linked to gang activity in our community. We are deeply grateful for the RCMP’s efforts to directly confront these challenges. Every arrest and every ounce of drugs taken out of our community is a step towards reclaiming our community from the grips of gangs and drug trafficking. It’s about taking back our future,” said Chief Karen Bird of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation.

Last week, Bird had a press conference in Prince Albert, pleading for help for the community which has been in a state of emergency since last fall, due to crime and drug issues.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com