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Edmonton men charged with selling unstamped tobacco, cannabis in Maskwacis

During a May 25, 2022, search of a vehicle and home in Edmonton, RCMP found about 1.6 kilograms of cocaine, about 740 grams of a substance believed to be buffing agent, items used to produce crack cocaine, more than $16,500 in cash, about 13 pounds of illegal cannabis, and 5,400 illegal cigarettes. (Photo provided.) During a May 25, 2022, search of a vehicle and home in Edmonton, RCMP found about 1.6 kilograms of cocaine, about 740 grams of a substance believed to be buffing agent, items used to produce crack cocaine, more than $16,500 in cash, about 13 pounds of illegal cannabis, and 5,400 illegal cigarettes. (Photo provided.)

Three men from the Alberta capital are facing charges after a "significant seizure" including thousands of illicit cigarettes, hundreds of pills, several kilograms of marijuana and thousands of dollars in cash.

RCMP in Maskwacis, Alta., said Thursday that they started investigating a "trafficking network" in June 2021.

On Tuesday, police began executing six search warrants at a home in Ermineskin Cree Nation and a storage locker in Edmonton. They also searched two vehicles.

Police said they seized:

  • 50,000 Illicit cigarettes, valued at $44,000
  • 7.7 kilograms (17 lbs.) of illegal Cannabis, with a street value of $75,000
  • 1,200 unidentified pills
  • 1 litre of Cannabis resin
  • $38,000 in cash proceeds

Then, on May 25, police searched a home and vehicle in Edmonton, finding: 

  • 1.6 kilograms of cocaine
  • About 740 grams of what is believed to be buffing agent
  • Items used to produce crack cocaine
  • $16,560 in cash
  • roughly 13 pounds of illegal cannabis
  • 5,400 cigarettes

Together, the seizures throughout May have a value of $400,000 police said. 

In connection to the May 17 seizures, Salih Khoshnaw, 32, and Leslie Dennehy, 35, were charged. 

Khoshnaw was charged with:

  • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
  • Possession of unstamped tobacco products for the purpose of selling
  • Fraud over $5,000

Khoshnaw also faces one count of unlawfully selling tobacco products that were not stamped.

Dennehy was charged with:

  • Possess cannabis for the purpose of distribution
  • Possess cannabis for the purpose of selling

Dennehy also faces a weapons charge.

Shimal Saad, 33, was charged in connection to the May 25 seizure with: 

  • Posession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking
  • Possession of an item to produce a controlled substance
  • Possession of unstamped tobacco for the purpose of sale
  • Possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000
  • Possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution
  • Possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling
  • Possession of unstamped tobacco product
  • Four counts of fraud
  • Possession of cannabis contrary to Section 90.08(1) of the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act

Khoshnaw is scheduled to appear in Edmonton Provincial Court on June 15 at 8:15 a.m.

Dennehy is scheduled to appear on June 10 at 8:15 a.m. in the same court.

Saad was released after a bail hearing and given a court date i Edmonton on June 9 at 8:30 a.m. 

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