Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
August 15, 2024
Yorkton, Saskatchewan
News release
On July 29, 2024, Yorkton’s Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team (STRT) arrested and charged two adult males, Ryan Langford and Parteek Sandhu, as part of a drug trafficking and kidnapping investigation.
As a result of continued investigation, on August 8, 2024, 46-year-old Ryan Langford from Yorkton, SK was additionally charged with:
- one count, storage of explosives other than a licensed magazine, Explosives Act 6(c);
- three counts, careless use of a firearm, Section 86(1), Criminal Code; and
- three counts, unauthorized possession of a firearm, Section 91(1), Criminal Code.
Ryan Langford and Parteek Sandhu appeared in Yorkton Provincial Court on August 15, 2024.
–30–
Backgrounder
Adult males charged with kidnapping following drug trafficking investigation
2024-07-31
On July 29, 2024, Yorkton’s Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team (STRT) executed a search warrant at a business in Yorkton, SK as part of a drug trafficking investigation. 23-year-old Parteek Sandhu was arrested at the scene.
As a result of continued investigation, also on July 29, Yorkton General Investigation Section (GIS) and Saskatchewan RCMP’s Critical Incident Response Team were engaged to assist with the search of a rural property in the RM of Wallace, south of Yorkton.
RCMP officers stopped a vehicle leaving the rural property and conducted a traffic stop – they arrested the adult female driver without incident – she was later released without charges.
Officers used a Remote Piloted Aircraft System to identify the location of a male suspect on the property: 46-year-old Ryan Langford was arrested without incident.
During a subsequent search of the rural property, RCMP officers located a severely injured, forcibly confined adult male inside a barn. Investigation determined the man had been kidnapped. Saskatchewan RCMP’s Emergency Medical Response Team provided immediate medical support and the adult male was transported to hospital.
As a result of further investigation, on July 29 and July 30, officers executed search warrants at three scenes: the business, the rural property, and a vehicle. At these locations, officers located and seized:
- an explosive device with detonator;
- approximately 161 grams of methamphetamine;
- 14 firearms;
- ammunition;
- drug trafficking paraphernalia; and
- a sum of cash.
46-year-old Ryan Langford from Yorkton, SK is charged with:
- two counts, possession for the purpose of trafficking, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
- one count, aggravated assault, Section 268(2), Criminal Code; and
- one count, adult kidnapping, Section 279(1)(a), Criminal Code.
23-year-old Parteek Sandhu from Etobicoke, ON is charged with:
- two counts, possession for the purpose of trafficking, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
- one count, adult kidnapping, Section 279(1)(a), Criminal Code; and
- one count, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code.
An adult male from Laval, QC is also charged with two counts, possession for the purpose of trafficking, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
The explosive device will be disposed of safely by the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Explosives Disposal Unit.
Moose Jaw Crime Reduction Team (CRT), Swift Current STRT, Yorkton RCMP, Yorkton Forensic Identification Services and Saskatchewan RCMP Explosives Disposal Unit assisted in this investigation.
Saskatchewan RCMP continue to investigate.