Yellowknife (Apr 21/06) - A routine wildlife and fisheries road block led to a drug bust and seizure of enough marijuana to make 600 joints.

Yellowknife RCMP G Division and the G Division police service dog were called to the check stop on the Ingraham Trail at about 8 p.m. April 17 at the request of officers on the scene who noticed a strong odour of marijuana coming from inside a vehicle, said Const. Colleen Werrell.

After searching the vehicle and its occupants, RCMP seized 4-1/2 ounces of marijuana.

Two men from Deline now face charges. A 20-year-old male is expected to be charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking while an 18-year-old male will be charged with possession of marijuana.

The check stop, near the Yellowknife River, had been ongoing the entire day and attended by Environment and Natural Resources, Municipal Enforcement Division, Department of Fisheries and Oceans officers and the RCMP.

Raymond Bourget, senior wildlife officer with Environment and Natural Resources, said the resource harvesting stops are conducted on a regular basis, usually about six per year.

"We're monitoring for hunting, fishing or woodcutting activity," Bourget said.

As a result of Monday's check stop, Bourget said two warnings were issued.

"A person had harvested a caribou and failed to keep the proof of sex, so that animal was seized," Bourget said.

The person was unable to prove the animal was a male, so was given time to prove the fact.

By law, the testicles or scrotum must be kept to prove the animal's sex, as only bulls can be harvested by resident hunters.

"One person was carrying wood without a permit. The individual had a picnic and decided to bring the excess wood home," Bourget said.

Under the Forest Management Act, a permit is required to cut and haul wood.