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.)

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.