A new policing initiative has been introduced in Saskatchewan that will target gang-related criminal activity entering the province through trafficking corridors.

Called the Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team (STRT), it will investigate illegal weapons, dangerous substances, and human trafficking.

The STRT Unit will also conduct intelligence operations.

The STRT (pronounced START) is comprised of 30 RCMP officers, 6 municipal police officers, two criminal analysts, and 3 support staff, with offices located in Lloydminster, Estevan and Swift Current.

The province says these locations were chosen based on proximity to provincial boundaries and established trafficking corridors.

Municipal STRT resources will be located in Prince Albert, Saskatoon, and Regina.

The province says this initiative will cost $2.1-million for 2021-22 and about $6.4-million in subsequent fiscal years, adding this is entirely new funding.