Maria Canton
Northern News Services

Kugluktuk (Jan 10/00) - A tip from the public led police to a Kugluktuk residence and $12,000 in drugs and related paraphernalia.

The anonymous information came on Dec. 30 as part of the community's commitment to keeping drugs off their streets.

"People have a renewed confidence in the police when they see these things happen," said local Constable Mark Crowther.

"Unfortunately, the public hears of drugs in Grade 9 and 10, but not about the people who are bringing them into the community. Our efforts are targeted at the bigger guy, to try and catch it right away."

Crowther says support for police efforts to stop the drug trafficking trade in Kugluktuk is overwhelming.

"We are actively pursuing enforcement measures in this regard and public support for our drug initiatives is overwhelming," said Crowther.

In this most recent bust, at the home of the 22-year-old woman, police seized cash, marijuana, hash, scales, pipes and rolling papers, worth an estimated $12,000.

She has been charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking and is scheduled to appear in the Nunavut Court of Justice on March 9, 2000.

A 44-year-old Nova Scotia man, also involved in the bust, has been charged with the same offence and will also appear in Nunavut's court on March 9.