SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The territorial justice minister is hailing efforts by the RCMP to combat the drug trade in the territory following a spate of busts and arrests mainly in the city.

This police seizure of more than 1,100 individually wrapped rocks of crack cocaine is an example of the RCMP's success during the month of September cracking down on drug trafficking. - photo courtesy of RCMP

David Ramsay, who is also Kam Lake MLA, was responding to a question in the legislative assembly Monday about the issue of illegal drugs and alcohol.

"In the 12 years that I've been a member of the legislative assembly, I don't recall a year where we've seen more drug seizures, illegal alcohol going into communities," said Ramsay.

His comments come after RCMP Const. Elenore Sturko issued a news release last week highlighting several drug busts and 23 drug-related arrests in September.

Arrests and search warrants were carried out in various locations Sept. 1, Sept. 21 and Sept. 22.

As well, police report arresting six others for drug trafficking with warrants issued for two more people.

A full list of those apprehended was not available from the RCMP as not all had been charged, Sturko said.

The activity last month netted "significant quantities" of crack cocaine in addition to the drugs oxycodone, fentanyl, marijuana, hash oil, Percocet pills and anabolic steroids.

One vehicle stopped on Highway 3 en route to the city had more than 1,100 individually wrapped rocks of crack.

Ramsay told the assembly he was especially concerned about fentanyl, a fast-acting narcotic typically used to treat severe pain that's much more powerful than morphine and has led to a sharp increase in overdose deaths in Alberta and British Columbia.

"(Justice ministers are) deeply concerned with the number of deaths that are caused by the illegal drug fentanyl, and I think that's something that we have to be acutely aware of as well," Ramsay said. "I know we've had some recent seizures of that drug here in Yellowknife. It's very alarming."

The raids also yielded several firearms, some which had been stolen earlier this year, and approximately $25,000 in Canadian and U.S. currency.

"Not only did this investigation disrupt several trafficking networks, it also provided valuable insight into the local illicit drug trade, which police can use on future investigations," stated Sgt. Dean Riou of the G Division federal investigations unit in a news release about the September activity.

As part of the September crackdown, called Project Gloomier, three vehicles believed to be used for drug trafficking were seized. RCMP noted one of the vehicles was a taxi cab.

Two separate search warrants carried out earlier this year, note drivers with two cab or delivery companies were believed to be using their vehicles to traffic drugs.

Asked about the use of cabs for trafficking, Riou replied with an e-mailed statement.

"The vast majority of taxi cab drivers and delivery service personnel are honest, hardworking individuals," he wrote to Yellowknifer.

"However, these types of industries provide an opportunity for those in the drug trade to mask their crimes under the guise of legitimate business. The police are aware of this and take all steps to weed these people out of these businesses."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.