Lisa Scott
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 14/05) - Police raided three businesses and four homes, and arrested 20 people in a major drug sweep Thursday.

They say the arrests are connected to a major drug chain that funnelled cocaine into the Northwest Territories from as far away as Vancouver. The raids were the culmination of an 18-month investigation, dubbed "Project Gunship."

The doorways into the Right Spot Bar and Grill, the Diner Restaurant and Johnson's Building Supplies were blocked by officers for most of the afternoon.

Unmarked and marked police cars sat waiting outside. Police wearing tool belts were observed entering the Right Spot at around 5:15 p.m. Closed signs quickly appeared on the businesses as people were led away in handcuffs.

A drug dog from Peace River and one from Wetaskiwin, Alta., were brought in for the searches.

A location in Edmonton was also searched Thursday, and is linked to the operation, said RCMP Const. Rick Roy during a mid-afternoon press conference.

He said 50 RCMP officers were involved in the operation.

Roy called the group of people arrested the "highest organized group in town," saying that in most drug investigations the RCMP aims for the highest echelon in the trafficking ring.

"Drug investigations are very comprehensive, particularly when you want to target the hierarchy of a criminal organization," he said.

No information was released on the amount of drugs or cash seized, though Roy did say that pure cocaine was the target.

No charges had been laid by press time. RCMP said they expected more arrests.

"That number continues to grow as the investigation continues," said Roy.

He confirmed yesterday's sweep was connected to two other cocaine seizures in recent weeks.

On Sept. 27, police seized 10 ounces of cocaine and $441 in cash.

They charged Sandra Gellenbeck, the general manager of Johnson's Building Supplies, with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. She was to appear in court Nov. 29 in connection with that charge.

In early October, police seized 20 grams of crack cocaine during a "routine vehicle stop." An unidentified man was charged in connection with that incident.

The RCMP expect to have all the people arrested Thursday in NWT courts within 24 hours.