Yellowknife (Oct 29/03) - Police say they have dealt a serious blow to the city's narcotics trade after the arrest of four suspected drug kingpins last week.

"It's unrealistic to say we have shut down the drug trade, but this is a major blow to operations," said Sgt. Daryl Key.

Police arrested Yellowknife residents Khanh Nguyen and Hoang Nguyen along with Quyen Tran and Pong Trung, both of Edmonton, late last week in Alberta. The four face a total of 18 trafficking-related charges.

Police say the four were heads of a distribution ring than ferried cocaine and marijuana from Edmonton to Yellowknife.

"These weren't street level dealers. They were upper level distributors," said Key.

Police won't say how the drugs were transported from Edmonton to Yellowknife. They were also mum on the quantity of drugs seized and details about the alleged drug ring.

"Our investigation is still active, so there are certain things we can't disclose at this point," said Key. He did not rule out the possibility more charges would be laid in the future.

The arrests were the result of an 11-month investigation by RCMP in Yellowknife and Edmonton, and Edmonton city police.

Ten Yellowknife RCMP officers were involved in the operation, which Key said demonstrates G-Division's commitment to stamping out the drug trade.

"It's a high priority for us," he said.

Khanh Nguyen, 27, faces one count of conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance (cocaine) and one count of possessing the proceeds of a crime over $5,000.

Hoang Nguyen, 29, is charged with conspiracy to traffic marijuana, trafficking marijuana and possession of marijuana -- all under three kilograms.

The Edmonton men were charged with 12 offences.

The four men are expected to appear in an Edmonton court today.

Police aren't aware of any connection between those arrested and Justin Hai Van Vo, a Yellowknife drug dealer who was murdered in June.

But Key said their investigation was continuing.

"It's not possible to rule that out (completely)," he said.