RCMP in Tulita intercept large quantities of liquor
Three significant seizures on winter road near hamlet in month and a half
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, March 10, 2014
TULITA/FORT NORMAN
Tulita RCMP have made three large seizures of alcohol on the winter road to the community in less than two months.
Three significant seizures of liquor, including this one, have been made in the past month and a half on the Sahtu winter road between Norman Wells and Tulita. - photo courtesy of the RCMP |
The seizures yielded a total of 156 375-ml bottles of vodka, five 40-ounce bottles of liquor, five 26-ounce bottles of liquor, and 152 cans and bottles of beer.
As a result, three people have been charged with liquor offences under Section 78 of the GNWT Liquor Act.
Sgt. Barry Ledoux, the media relations officer with the RCMP's G Division, said the most recent seizure was about two weeks ago.
There have also been other seizures on the winter road in addition to the three recent incidents, Ledoux noted. "But these are the ones of significant value."
Tulita has restrictions on the amount of alcohol a person can possess, but the RCMP noted the seizures show there is a flow of contraband liquor in excess of the regulations.
Since the opening of the Sahtu winter road between Norman Wells and Tulita on Dec. 23, Tulita RCMP have been conducting daily checkstops in an effort to keep the seasonal route safe for the travelling public.
During these check stops, members have seized the large quantities of alcohol.
There are other means of bringing alcohol into the community, including by snowmobile and air, noted Ledoux. "It's a continual cat-and-mouse game because there are other ways to access the community."
The officer noted the RCMP in Tulita last year began to notice an increase in alcohol-related offenses in the community.
"They started to be a little bit more diligent on information received from the community and their investigations revealed there is an excessive amount of liquor being brought into the community," Ledoux said. "Members stepped up their patrols and investigations, and, as a result, have been having good success in decreasing the amount of crime related to alcohol.
