Lisa Scott
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 04/05) - The department of justice has confirmed that two correctional officers have been suspended and are under investigation.

Despite earlier confirmation from the department that the suspensions were linked to Project Gunship, a major cocaine bust that happened Oct. 13, Bronwyn Watters, assistant deputy minister, said she could not confirm that.

"It's a labour relations matter," she said, Thursday.

The unidentified guards have been suspended with pay since mid-October, pending the investigation.

A drug dog toured the correctional centre recently and no drugs were found then, she said.

As for any criminal investigation that might take place, Watters says the department is leaving that up to the RCMP and wouldn't be involved.

When asked if the RCMP were investigating at the North Slave Correctional Centre, RCMP Cpl. Larry O'Brien, who headed Project Gunship, said no. He said instead that the police are working with the department of justice in an investigation at the jail. "We are working with the department of justice, yes," he said, Thursday.

O'Brien said no additional charges have been laid in connection with Project Gunship.

Eleven people are facing charges in one of the biggest cocaine sweeps in the city, in which police say they took down the largest organized drug ring in the territory.

The bust netted seven kilograms of cocaine and two kilograms of marijuana after three businesses and four residences were searched.

Right Spot Bar and Grill owner Kan Sui Wong is in jail on five charges of conspiring to traffic cocaine.

The manager of the bar was also charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

As for any progress on Project Gunship, O'Brien said: "There is nothing to update right now. We're just getting people through court, but there will be updates in the future."

Minister of Justice Brendan Bell was not available to comment on the suspensions at press time.