YORKTON – Two men are facing kidnapping charges following a drug-trafficking investigation in the Yorkton area.

On July 29, Yorkton’s Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team (STRT) executed a search warrant at a business in Yorkton as part of a drug trafficking investigation.

Parteek Sandhu, 23, 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 assisted 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.

Ryan Langford, 46, was arrested without incident.

After searching the rural property, RCMP officers located a severely injured, forcibly confined man inside a barn. After investigating, police determined he had been kidnapped. Saskatchewan RCMP’s Emergency Medical Response Team provided immediate medical support and the man was transported to hospital.

As a result of further investigation, on July 29 and July 30, officers executed search warrants at three locations: the business, the rural property, and a vehicle. 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.

Ryan Langford, 46, from Yorkton, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking; aggravated assault; and adult kidnapping.

Parteek Sandhu, 23, from Etobicoke, Ont., is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking; adult kidnapping; and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

As well, an adult male man from Laval, Que., is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

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.