Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, January 7, 2008

SNOWDRIFT - The RCMP has closed the investigation into the case of a large amount of money - about $12,000 - that went missing on March 28, 2007, somewhere on a journey from Yellowknife to Lutsel K'e.

Const. Brent Dooks of the RCMP detachment in Lutsel K'e said the file has been closed, but will be re-opened if further information comes to light.

No one has been charged in the disappearance of the money, which has not been recovered. "It's been one of those investigations," Dooks said.

"It's been difficult to acquire information to support charges."

Dooks said approximately 20 people - the majority in Yellowknife - had access to the money.

The funds which were the property of Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation, was in a type of cash bag used by banks. It was coming from a bank in Yellowknife to the band office in Lutsel K'e.

The money was withdrawn and was not being transported by the bank.

The bag, which arrived with an undisclosed amount of money remaining, was placed on a plane for part of the journey to Lutsel K'e.

The money was to be used to help stage a spring carnival, which went ahead on the March 31-April 1 weekend.