Yellowknife (Feb 06/06) - Pond Inlet police have been busy cutting the community's marijuana supply.

On Jan. 26, police seized $8,645 in cash, 137 grams of pot and electronic scales and other drug paraphernalia.

William Edmunds, 40, from Iglulik; Clara Uttak, 27, also from Iglulik; and Helen Apak, 34, from Pond Inlet were arrested and charged with trafficking marijuana.

All three are due to appear in court May 2 in Pond.

"The use and abuse of marijuana is a problem which has a negative impact on the wellness of a community such as Pond Inlet," said Cpl. Chris Bewsher in a media release.

A couple of days later, on Jan. 28, Ronald Tary of Prince George, British Columbia, was charged with uttering death threats and one count of selling marijuana.

"Initial reports to the police indicated that a person was going around the community threatening and intimidating a number of people who owed him money for drugs," said Cpl. Bewsher in another media release.

In their investigation of this matter, police found $2,645 in cash and roughly $18,000 in money order receipts.

Tary was held in custody until Feb. 2 when he appeared for a show cause hearing in Iqaluit court.

At that time the matter was put over until Feb. 7. Pond Inlet police have recommended the Crown oppose Tary's release back into the community for public safety and out of concern he will skip out on his next court date, scheduled for May 2 in Pond Inlet.