×

La Ronge search warrant turns up illicit drugs and loaded gun

By Vanese M. Ferguson Feb 22, 2024 | 12:48 PM

Two people are in provincial court Thursday facing a combined 17 charges after RCMP executed a search warrant in La Ronge.

On Tuesday, the RCMP La Ronge Crime Reduction Team (CRT) and Police Dog Services executed a search warrant at an apartment building in La Ronge as part of a drug trafficking investigation.

Officers located and seized a loaded handgun, 60 grams of cocaine, 31 grams of methamphetamine, a sum of cash and other drug paraphernalia.

Two people were arrested at two different apartments and 35-year-old John McDonnel as well as 30-year-old Denise Charles, both from La Ronge were charged in connection to the investigation. At the time of McDonnel’s arrest he was on court ordered release conditions for a previous manslaughter charge.

John McDonnel was charged with:

  • two counts, possession contrary to order and fail to surrender authorization, Section 117.01(3), Criminal Code;
  • two counts, fail to comply with release order condition, Section 145(5)(a), Criminal Code;
  • one count, possession of property obtained by crime less than or equal to $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code;
  • one count, unsafe storage of firearms, Section 86(2), Criminal Code;
  • one count, possession of weapon for dangerous purpose, Section 88(2), Criminal Code;
  • one count, unauthorized possession of a firearm/prohibited weapon or restricted weapon, Section 91(3), Criminal Code;
  • one count, possession of a firearm/prohibited weapon when knowing possession unauthorized, Section 92(3), Criminal Code;
  • one count, possession of restricted firearm/prohibited weapon with ammo without licence/registration, Section 95(2), Criminal Code;
  • one count, possession of weapon obtained by crime, Section 96(2), Criminal Code and
  • one count, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

 

Denise Charles, from La Ronge, was charged with:

  • one count, possession of property obtained by crime less than or equal to $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code;
  • one count, fail to comply with probation order, Section 733.1(1), Criminal Code;
  • one count, possession of weapon for dangerous person, Section 88(2), Criminal Code;
  • one count, possession of the purpose of trafficking cocaine, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and
  • one count, possession of the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act