INUVIK - Inuvik RCMP seized approximately one pound of hash and three pounds of marijuana from a home in the Balsam Trailer Park last week.

From left, Inuvik RCMP Const. Mike Peters, Staff Sgt. Wayne Norris and Const. Derek Young stand behind drugs, cash and drug paraphernalia seized from an Inuvik residence on Wednesday, Feb. 2. - Kira Curtis/NNSL photo

On Wednesday, Feb. 2, police executed a search warrant on the residence arresting five people, three of whom were released immediately with no charges. The owners of the residence were taken into police custody and face charges.

The two detained, a 26-year-old male and a 21-year-old female, have each been charged with one count of possession of marijuana and one count of possession of cannabis resin for purpose of trafficking.

"They're continuing the investigation and there possibly may be further charges but the important thing is that we are now in possession of the illicit drugs," said new Inuvik RCMP detachment commander Staff Sgt. Wayne Norris.

Norris said when police entered the residence there were a number of people inside the home and the air was filled with the odour of recently-smoked marijuana. Along with the hash and marijuana, RCMP also seized vials of hash oil, drug paraphernalia as well as a large quantity of cash.

Norris said the bust brought in a substantial amount of drugs for one residence, especially for a town the size of Inuvik.

"This isn't Yellowknife; it's, you know, 3,000 people here," Norris said, adding the amount of marijuana alone was substantial if rolled and sold as joints.

"If you transform that from even roughly three pounds of marijuana, it transforms into about 2,700 joints off the streets off Inuvik," he said.

According to Health Canada, hash and hash oil generally contains more THC, the main psychoactive substance, than marijuana. Long-term effects of THC can be respiratory problems such as bronchitis, as well as a potential development of paranoia, delusions or hallucinations.

"Like anywhere in the Territories, our priority is tackling illicit sale of drugs through interdiction, on our highways or through the airport," Norris said, adding that the police are always asking members of the community not to tolerate drug use around them and to come forward if anyone has information.

The two people charged are being held in Inuvik police custody pending a release process. They are both scheduled to appear in territorial court on Tuesday, March 29.

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