ACHO DENE KOE/FORT LIARD
Members of the Fort Liard RCMP got something other than an April Fool's joke when they pulled over a vehicle April 1.

A 33-year-old Fort Liard man has been charged with importing excess liquor after a search of his vehicle on Highway 7 south of the hamlet uncovered 21 bottles of alcohol. - photo courtesy of the Fort Liard RCMP

A 33-year-old Fort Liard man has been charged with importing excess liquor under the Liquor Act. The suspect was stopped on Highway 7 south of the community while traveling from B.C.

A search of his vehicle uncovered 21 bottles of alcohol including 14-26 ounce bottles of vodka, six-26 ounce bottles of whiskey and one-12 ounce bottle of vodka that were concealed in the vehicle, according to a news release from the RCMP. The accused is scheduled to appear in territorial court in the hamlet on June 26.

Under the Liquor Act, a person can import into the territory 1.5 litres of wine, 1.14 litres of spirits or 8.52 litres of beer. The amount of alcohol that was seized is significant, said Sgt. Barry Ledoux, a media spokesperson with the RCMP G division.

"Considering you can only possess one of those," he said.

The charge of importing excess liquor can be used in cases where there isn't sufficient evidence to show an intent to resell the alcohol, which would be bootlegging under the Liquor Act or specific community's liquor regulations, Ledoux said.

According to the news release, this investigation is part of G Division's ongoing work to combat illegal activities to reduce crime and promote safe and secure communities in the NWT. Anyone with information about this incident or other crimes is asked to contact the Fort Liard RCMP detachment or Crimestoppers.