SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The RCMP said it's disrupted a highly-organized gang supplying an appetite for drugs among Yellowknife high-rollers after a series of raids on drug dens early Friday morning.

RCMP seized more than eight ounces of marijuana and almost three ounces of crack-cocaine, as well as drug scales and sealing bags during their raids on drug dens in Yellowknife last Friday. - Daniel Campbell/NNSL photo Drug den items More than $32,000 cash More than eight ounces marijuana Almost three ounces of crack-cocaine Five iPads more than a dozen cellphones jewelry scales and sealing bags protective (bullet-proof) vest RCMP jacket with rank insignia two crossbows, rifle, handgun, ammo Arrests: Matthew Jager, 29, from Calgary, Alta.- three charges Cody Stuiver, 19, of Aldergrove, B.C. - two charges Jacob Randall, 18, of Langley, B.C. - three charges Christopher Mathers, 26, of London, Ont. - seven charges Travis Pigott, 19, of Surrey, B.C. - four charges Gage McPake, 20, of Surry, B.C. - three charges Chad Peacock, 29 of Burnaby, B.C. - three charges Jacalyn Sammut, 22, of Brooks, Alta. - three charges Stanislaus Cochrane, 50, of Yellowknife - four charges Source: RCMP

Tia Hanna was asleep in her home near the corner of Taltheilei Drive and Kam Lake Road when she was awoken by what she at first believed to be children setting off fireworks around 5 a.m.

"I heard a bang and the sky lit up," she said.

When she looked out her open window to see what was going on, she saw six to 10 vehicles surrounding the property across the street from hers. She then saw flashlights moving around and lights go on both in the home and the warehouse on the property.

RCMP said five search warrants were executed simultaneously Friday morning, on residences at Bison Hill Apartments, Fort Gary Apartments, the Kam Lake area, as well as a storage locker, as part of a drug investigation codenamed 'Operation Goblin.'

Police arrested 11 people who are alleged to be connected with the '865' organized crime group based out of Aldergrove and Surrey, B.C. RCMP say the group focuses on selling narcotics, mainly crack-cocaine.

Chief Supt. Wade Blake, commanding officer of the RCMP in the Northwest Territories, said the gang was attracted to Yellowknife because of the demand for drugs here.

"I wish to be blunt here and say that these are some of the people - they live in all our neighborhoods - who are responsible for gangs and guns coming into our communities," Blake said at a press conference yesterday.

"The local buyers of drugs aren't always your street level drug user. They're well-dressed professionals driving high-end vehicles."

RCMP Staff Sgt. Craig Peterson, the officer in charge of the investigation, said police had their eyes on the 856 group since the summer of 2012. His investigators witnessed drug deals go down in broad daylight, in front of women and children. Peterson described the buyers as not your typical "down-and-out drug addicts" you'd see on television.

"They were blatant, arrogant and open about their drug dealings," Blake said.

RCMP said they made arrests of sellers in this investigation - not the buyers.

The crime group is connected to the drug busts in early October, RCMP confirmed Tuesday. Four people, three from Langley, B.C., were arrested on charges of drug trafficking after a Kam Lake home was raided on Oct. 2.

Peterson said the 856 group could have been attracted to Yellowknife because their drugs sell for higher prices here. Although the group has strong ties to lower-mainland B.C., Peterson said they must have seen an opportunity up here.

Peterson said the 856 group also relies on local knowledge. Of the 15 arrested connected to this group in Yellowknife so far, two are from the city.

RCMP are hopeful the recent arrests have disrupted the group.

"Our goal is to dismantle this group in the Yellowknife area," Peterson said.

However, Peterson added their job will take patience.

"This is an organized crime group that doesn't have to play by the rules. We have to play by the rules, so it's a lot easier for them to reestablish and a little more difficult for us."

Peterson said the group has a "propensity for violence" and often use intimidation tactics.

Blake warned those arrested are "highly organized and very, very territorial."

"They carry guns and they use them to protect their turf."

RCMP confirm at least one person was injured during the raids, although they won't say who it was or how serious the injury was.

"That person has sought medical treatment," Peterson said, refusing to comment further.

An Emergency Response Team (ERT) from Alberta - commonly referred to as a SWAT team - joined a Yellowknife based ERT for the raids.

Bob Brian, a resident at the raided Bison Apartments, woke up around 5:15 a.m. Friday morning to the sounds of a struggle directly above him. He said he had heard noises coming from above on other occasions - describing the tenants as late-night partiers - although this time it sounded different.

A fire alarm was triggered, so Brian left, passing eight to 10 officers in tactical gear with automatic weapons in the lobby. He directed them to the floor where he heard the noises. Smoke was later observed coming from the same floor.

Nine of the 11 arrested are still in custody awaiting further court appearances. They face charges including drug possession, drug trafficking, possession of stolen property, the proceeds of crimes and firearms-related offences.

- with files from Laura Busch

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