Wrigley (Jun 09/06) - Two Edmonton area men and a former resident of Wrigley have been charged in connection with crack cocaine trafficking.

The charges were laid after a three-month drug operation by the RCMP.

This is the first time cocaine trafficking charges have been laid in the Fort Simpson detachment area, Cpl. Al Shepherd said.

It is also the first time the RCMP have seen people travelling to the communities in order to traffic drugs. Previously, people were bringing crack cocaine into the community from Yellowknife or Hay River for their own personal use, Shepherd said.

Police said they believe the bust is related to an organized effort to bring crack from Edmonton into Wrigley and other NWT communities.

The men have links to organized crime and street gangs in Edmonton, Shepherd said.

A 25-year-old Edmonton man was charged with four counts of trafficking cocaine. The charges were gathered into blocks by month.

If they were laid separately, there would be between approximately 60 to 80 counts of trafficking, Shepherd said.

The man is also charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine and one count of bootlegging.

He was arrested in Wrigley on June 2 and released on strict conditions. He will appear in court on July 10, Shepherd said.

A 29-year-old Edmonton man has been charged with one count of trafficking, one count of conspiracy to traffic and a breach of a court order. The man has previously been charged by the Edmonton police for trafficking.

There is a warrant out for his arrest.

Also charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic is a 40-year-old woman and former resident of Wrigley who now resides in Edmonton. Police have issued a warrant for her arrest. Police said they believe the crack was being sold out of a house in Wrigley.

After conducting a search of the house, RCMP found suspected crack that will be sent for testing at a drug lab.

So far, the RCMP have identified about 15 customers in the community who will be used as witnesses in court, Shepherd said.

He said the arrest was made possible by community members who alerted the RCMP.

"It's really a community victory," he said.

"We can't do this without the community's help." The investigation into the crack cocaine trafficking is continuing, Shepherd said.