Shoppers Drug Mart Police Sting
Summary:
A police sting operation led to the arrest of two suspects for allegedly reselling diverted prescription opioids at select Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Timeline:
- February 22, 2023: Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) launched an undercover investigation into the suspected drug trafficking operation.
- March 1, 2023: Two suspects were arrested following the execution of search warrants at Shoppers Drug Mart stores on 8th Street East and Preston Avenue South.
- March 2, 2023: The arrests made headlines and became a trending topic on Google Trends in Canada.
Allegations:
According to the SPS, the suspects are accused of:
- Purchasing prescription opioids from Shoppers Drug Mart using fraudulent prescriptions.
- Reselling the opioids to individuals for profit, primarily in the downtown area.
- Using “runners” to facilitate the sales and distribution.
Arrests and Charges:
The two arrested suspects face charges of:
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking
- Fraudulent use of a prescription
- Conspiracy to commit an indictable offense
Concern and Response:
- SPS: The SPS emphasized the severity of the opioid crisis and the need to address drug trafficking in the community.
- Shoppers Drug Mart: The pharmacy chain condemned the alleged activity and stated that it is cooperating fully with the police investigation. It also highlighted its efforts to prevent prescription drug abuse, including implementing stringent prescription verification procedures.
Ongoing Investigation:
The police investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are possible. The SPS is urging anyone with information about the drug trafficking operation to contact police.
Public Reaction:
The incident has sparked public concern and discussion about prescription drug misuse and the role of pharmacies in preventing diversion. The rising Google Trends search volume suggests that the issue is resonating with the community in Saskatoon and surrounding areas.
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
Please search for “shoppers drug mart police sting” which is rapidly rising on Google Trends CA-SK and explain in detail. Answers should be in English.
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