Inuvik (Mar 14/05) - A large amount of crack cocaine, cash and drug paraphernalia were seized during a raid on an Inuvik residence late Thursday evening.

For the second time within 60 days, RCMP stormed Monty Toth's residence on Inuit Road. They reported recovering 49 grams of crack, almost $2,000 in cash, weight scales, equipment to cut the drugs and surveillance cameras.

They also seized a $5,000 snowmachine.

Toth was arrested at the residence for possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

The 40-year-old was in custody awaiting a bail hearing in front of a justice of the peace, Friday.

"For Inuvik, this is significant," said RCMP Staff Sgt. Sid Gray of the size of the drug bust.

This amount of drugs would yield a lot of money on the street after it was cut up, said Gray.

"At $150 a gram it's roughly $7,400 worth," he said.

During the previous bust on Toth's residence in January only trace amounts of cocaine were found. He was charged with possession of crack cocaine and is awaiting trial.

RCMP say Toth is known to the police and also awaits trial on charges of assault with a weapon, assault and uttering death threats, in connection with an incident in Inuvik, Dec. 14, 2004.

Five or six officers and one municipal enforcement officer conducted the search which began around 11 p.m. and lasted two to three hours, said Gray.

Apart from protective vests, however, no special or tactical equipment was used.

"Apart from a chainsaw to get past the barricaded door," he said.

The front door had been reinforced so as not to open inwards, Gray explained.

Public tips and subsequent questioning allowed police to satisfy the requirements needed to search Toth's house, said Gray.

He had stressed at a community meeting last year that police needed the public's support in combating the town's drug problem.

"It's starting to happen," said Gray. "The public as I'd hoped is coming forward and the quality of the information is getting better."

The tips that led to the pair of raids came from different individuals, he explained. Neither was anonymous.

"We continue to need the public's help," said Gray, emphasizing that court and justice system regulations mean the process to rid Inuvik of drugs may take some time.

"We're trying and it takes time," he said. "But we do take complaints seriously."