TUKTOYAKTUK - Tuktoyaktuk police have laid the first charge under the community's new liquor restrictions.

Charges have been laid against a man accused of transporting 11 bottles of liquor into the community.

Tuktoyaktuk RCMP Sgt. Calvin Roberts said the arrest was planned based on a confidential source who provided a tip the man would be arriving to the community by plane. Two members of the local detachment were at the airport waiting for the man to arrive on July 20.

Put in place this past March, the community has restricted the amount of alcohol one person can have.

Roberts said the amount of alcohol obtained in the arrest was nearly five times the allowed limit.

RCMP are not releasing the name of the man who will appear in court on Aug. 25.

This was the first charge laid against someone for breaking the restriction. Roberts said the people in the community were made aware of the decision before the new year, police provided a grace period to issue warnings.

"We only poured out their liquor then, and warned them about the restriction," said Roberts.

He said the warnings were given out during the winter season. Members set up road checks on the ice road leading into the community.

Since March, the rule has been in effect, and Roberts said the community has been doing a good job of staying within the legal limits. He has also noticed a lull in police-required calls since the ruling.

"Things have been slower for us since it was put in place," he said.

With a hefty fine of $500 per infraction, Roberts hopes it's enough to keep people in line and respectful of the community's choice to limit the liquor imports.

"I'm sure the fine is a bit of a deterrent as well," said Roberts.

Mayor Merven Gruben is happy with the results of the restriction. He sees it every month with the RCMP report to Hamlet council.

"This is a hell of a good thing that's happening," said Gruben.

He said the latest report from the detachment shows proof of positive results.

"Crime rates are down 30 per cent," said Gruben.

"The record speaks for itself."

Gruben said the efforts of the Hamlet and the RCMP and the participation of the community are what makes the program successful.

"We have a really good working relationship with them, and this builds on that," he said.

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