News release

Saskatchewan RCMP Roving Traffic Unit stops trafficker transporting 20KG of illegal drugs

October 29, 2025 - Kindersley, Saskatchewan
From: Saskatchewan RCMP

Content

Twenty kilograms of illegal drug were located and seized after a man was arrested during a vehicle stop by Saskatchewan RCMP last week. 

On October 23, 2025, a police officer with the Saskatchewan RCMP Roving Traffic Unit (RTU) stopped a grey vehicle for a driver’s licence, registration and sobriety check while patrolling Highway 7, west of Kindersley, SK.

As a result of investigation, the police officer informed the driver he was detained on scene for the purpose of a drug investigation. A second RTU officer attended the scene and assisted with the investigation.

The first RTU police officer deployed PSD “Salt”, his police service dog trained to detect narcotics, to perform a free air sniff around the outside of the vehicle. While inspecting the grey vehicle, PSD Salt sat next to the passenger side of the trunk, indicating she had detected the odor of narcotics in that section of the vehicle.

Based on PSD Salt’s indication, the Saskatchewan RCMP RTU police officers arrested the driver on scene. They then searched the vehicle and located four kilograms of suspected cocaine inside a corner of a hidden after-market compartment.

Kindersley RCMP officers attended the scene and helped transport the grey vehicle to the Kindersley RCMP detachment. There, RTU police officers, in consultation with a Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) Exam Specialist, were able to finish opening the after-market compartment.

Inside the compartment, RTU officers located and seized an additional 15 kilograms of suspected cocaine and one kilogram of suspected crystal methamphetamine. Two cellphones and $830 in Canadian currency found on the driver were also seized.

As a result of police investigation, 27-year-old Russell Rosales of Vancouver, BC, is charged with:

• two counts, trafficking of a substance included in schedule I, section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; and
• two counts, possession of a substance included in schedule I for the purpose of trafficking, Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Russell Rosales is scheduled to appear in court in Kindersley, SK, on December16, 2025. He was released on a Justice of the Peace Release Order.

Inspector Lee Knelsen, Operations Officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services, said:

“It’s 20 kilograms of dangerous and addictive illegal drugs that will not make their way to the streets of Saskatchewan. It’s also a significant amount of money that will not be supporting the activities of criminals in Saskatchewan. I commend our traffic officers for their vigilance while patrolling our roads and working closely with our local RCMP detachments to help keep Saskatchewan safe.”

The Saskatchewan Roving Traffic Unit (RTU) is a mobile traffic enforcement team comprised of Saskatchewan RCMP officers who work in flexible schedules and areas. Their mandate is to improve traffic safety on Saskatchewan highways and to intercept traveling criminals.