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INUVIK - Police are once again giving credit to the public for information leading to two drug busts made in Inuvik earlier this month.

Cpl. Sean Doornbos of the Inuvik RCMP said officers responded to two separate anonymous tips on May 3 and May 8 that resulted in crack cocaine and marijuana trafficking charges respectively.

In addition, on April 16 police charged a 29-year-old suspect with possession of 100 grams of marijuana and two grams of hash oil for the purpose of trafficking following a tip from the public.

"We're giving all the credit to the local community," said Doornbos. "I think this community is a strong community. They're are a concerned community and I think they've reached their wit's end. People want safe homes for their children. Enough is enough."

Wallace Dick, 28, of Edmonton was arrested May 3 when police found crack cocaine in his mouth after being stopped in his vehicle moments after the tip was received by the department.

After further investigation Doornbos said police were able to tie Dick to an undisclosed but "significant" amount of cash found in an apartment, which resulted in a second charge of possession of property obtained by crime.

Doornbos said Dick is new to Inuvik RCMP but probably not to the town itself.

"We believe he's part of a larger group from Edmonton that frequently traffics in Inuvik," he said.

A 19-year-old Inuvik male was charged with trafficking marijuana and possession of property obtained by crime May 8 after police seized from him an undisclosed quantity of the drug along with more than $1,000 in cash found in his backpack.

The arrest followed a short pursuit on foot, and officers found the man hiding under a building. The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on July 6. Mayor Derek Lindsay is happy people are tipping off police to crime in the community.

"I think it's great," he said. "I'd like to see more of it. The police are doing a good job on the situation. They know who's who but they have to build their case, which can take a lot of time. That means the role of the community becomes that much more important."