Father, son arrested for trafficking
Hay River RCMP call it community's most significant bust in a decade
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, February 15, 2016
HAY RIVER
RCMP in Hay River have made another significant drug bust - seizing powdered and crack cocaine, marijuana and cash.
RCMP executed search warrants at two residences on Feb. 3 at around 8 p.m.
During the searches, the police seized approximately 100 grams of powdered and crack cocaine, 1.4 kilograms of marijuana, cash and drug paraphernalia.
Cpl. Greg Morrow, commander of the Hay River detachment, said the seizure is probably the largest and most significant in Hay River going back 10 to 15 years.
"We've had seizures that might exceed the amount of marijuana or cocaine that's been seized but I would call this more significant just based on the totality of what we located," he said.
Morrow said the seizure will have a "huge impact" on the illegal drug trade in the town.
As a result of the seizure, 26-year-old Antonio Mennillo and his stepfather, 55-year-old Christian Girard, both of Hay River, have been charged with a number of offences relating to drug trafficking.
According to the RCMP, Mennillo is facing a total of five charges, four of them under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
The charges include trafficking in cocaine, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, trafficking in marijuana, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of the proceeds of crime, which is an offence under the Criminal Code.
Girard has been charged with trafficking cocaine, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of the proceeds of crime.
Mennillo appeared in court and was remanded into custody. His next appearance was set for Feb. 8 in Yellowknife Territorial Court.
Girard appeared before court and was released on an undertaking. His next court date is May 16 in Hay River Territorial Court.
Morrow said it is difficult to give an exact street value for the seized drugs, explaining what's charged for illegal drugs on the street changes every day based on, like anything, supply and demand.
"We estimate that the street value would be anywhere between $50,000 to $65,000, depending," he said.
As for the amount of cash, Morrow noted the counting had not been completed as of Feb. 5.
"But I can say that it's in excess of $17,000," he said.
It was the second significant drug seizure within a couple of weeks. On Jan. 20, the RCMP seized approximately 30 grams of crack cocaine, 30 grams of marijuana, about $6,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia from a residence.
As a result of that earlier seizure, a 19-year-old resident of Hay River was charged with trafficking in a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a knife for a dangerous purpose and possession of the proceeds of crime.
Morrow would not comment on whether the two seizures are connected.
