Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Hay River (June 20/05) - A Hay River man who turned his family home into a fortified crack house was sentenced to 34 months in prison last Monday.

Neil Woledge outfitted the residence - home to his three teenaged children - with reinforced doors, video surveillance and weapons in an effort to protect his drug dealing operation.

'Extremely aggravating'

"It is extremely aggravating (that) he was doing this where his teenage daughters were living," said NWT Supreme Court Justice Virginia Schuler Monday in a Yellowknife courtroom.

Woledge, 62 according to family members, sat motionless while Schuler handed down the sentence, which included two years for the drug charge. His wife and two of his daughters were in court and cried as the sentence was read.

Woledge was convicted of possession of crack-cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and carrying a weapon dangerous to the public peace following a trial in Hay River last month.

Police used a sledgehammer to break into the house during an early morning raid on July 8, 2004.

Woledge, who was high on crack-cocaine at the time, walked towards officers carrying a loaded shotgun but was arrested without shots being fired.

Officers found crack pipes, satellite phones and 14 weapons in the home, including two loaded shotguns and a machete in the master bedroom.

"He should know better than to get involved in the drug trade," Schuler said.

"We have cases that come into court all the time because of (crack-cocaine)," Schuler said, noting the drug has become a serious problem in Hay River. "(Dealers) are making money off other people's tragedy and misfortune."

She issued an order allowing the Crown to seize the drug paraphernalia, surveillance system, weapons and $875 cash Woledge had when he was arrested.