Feb. 14, 2025
Lloydminster RCMP execute search warrant in relation to firearms trafficking investigation
Lloydminster, Sask. – On Feb. 13, 2025, officers from Lloydminster RCMP and Police Dog Service executed a search warrant at a residence located on 49 Avenue, as part of a firearms trafficking investigation. During the search, police seized a shotgun and magazine, along with a small quantity of methamphetamine and unstamped tobacco.
As a result of this investigation, Lloydminster RCMP have arrested Zach Gayton, an 18-year-old resident of Lloydminster. He has been charged with the following offences:
- Weapons trafficking
- Unsafe storage of firearms
- Possession of a firearm when knowing possession is unauthorized
- Possess a forged document
Zach Gayton was brought before a Justice of the Peace and was remanded into custody. He is scheduled to appear in Saskatchewan Provincial Court in Lloydminster on Feb. 19, 2025.
This investigation remains ongoing, and police continue to work to disrupt the illegal trafficking of firearms in our community.
Lloydminster RCMP would also like to remind the public that posting photos or videos of police on social media in real time can have unintended consequences, including:
- Officer and Public Safety – If police are engaged in a tactical operation, broadcasting their location or movements could put officers and civilians in danger. Suspects might use social media to track police actions and evade capture.
- Compromising Ongoing Operations – If law enforcement is handling a sensitive situation like a hostage rescue or a raid, revealing their positions or strategies could jeopardize the mission.
- Misinformation and Panic – Without full context, images or videos can be misinterpreted, spreading false narratives that might escalate tensions or lead to unnecessary panic.
- Evidence Integrity – If a police action is related to an ongoing investigation, public posts might affect witness testimonies or even be used as evidence in court, potentially influencing the outcome of legal proceedings.
If you have any information regarding criminal activity in your neighbourhood, including trafficking of drugs or firearms, please contact the Lloydminster RCMP at 780-808-8400. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store
Photo supplied by RCMP
