Highway check stop nets drugs, booze and money
20 charges laid after RCMP operation at Behchoko Access Road
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Saturday, December 7, 2013
BEHCHOKO/RAE-EDZO
A check stop by the RCMP has led to the seizure of drugs, alcohol and money on Highway 3, and resulted in numerous charges.
The RCMP released this photo showing the alcohol, drugs and money seized at a Nov. 30 check stop on Highway 3. - Photo courtesy of the RCMP
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The Behchoko RCMP and G Division's Traffic Services conducted the check stop at the Behchoko Access Road on Nov. 30. Vehicles using the highway and turning off to Behchoko were checked.
"We had a total of 20 charges laid," said Sgt. Barry Ledoux, media relations officer with the RCMP's 'G' Division in Yellowknife.
Those charges involved about a dozen people in a number of vehicles.
Two people have been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking. The RCMP has not released information on what drug was involved or what quantity was seized.
An amount of money was also seized in connection with the charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Other charges involved possession of marijuana, and alleged offences under the Motor Vehicle Act, the Liquor Act and the Behchoko Liquor Prohibition Act.
A "large quantity" of alcohol was seized at the check stop, said Ledoux. "We're looking at 76 litres of beer alone."
In addition, hard liquor was also seized – 63 bottles of various sizes.
Behchoko is officially a dry community.
Ledoux said the check stop was not part of any particular enforcement blitz by the RCMP.
"It was just one of those days where we had all the numbers lined up for us as far as manpower goes, where we had the available resources," he said, noting there were members of the RCMP's Traffic Services in and around the area.
When asked if there are any lessons to be learned from the seizures of illegal substances, Ledoux responded, "What it tells me is that our members are out there doing an excellent job in preventing not only the possession of this liquor, but the crimes that go with it."
However, the sergeant said the seizures don't really offer an indication of the amount of drugs and alcohol that might be transported into Behchoko.
"We don't know if this is on a regular basis or not," he said. "We'd be speculating if we said this was a regular occurrence."
