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Major illegal booze haul
Seasonal rush to get booze into communities on ice roads, say police

John McFadden
Northern News Services
Monday, April 17, 2017

WHATI/LAC LA MARTE
RCMP have made several significant alcohol seizures on the winter road leading to both Whati and Gameti, say officers.

NNSL photograph

Whati RCMP display illegal alcohol officers seized during a check stop on the winter road to Whati and Gameti on April 7 and 8. Police hadn't laid charges as of press time. - photo courtesy of RCMP

The Mounties stated they confiscated the illegal booze during a check stop in the late evening on April 7 and into the early morning hours of April 8, stated a news release.

No charges had been laid as of press time.

Police seized 150 mickey bottles of liquor, five 1.75-litre bottles, one 750-milllitre bottle, one-200 millilitre bottle and 292 cans of beer.

Police did not say how many vehicles they actually stopped. The Mounties stated a mickey is going for $80 these days on the streets of Whati.

They added that means the estimated street value of the alcohol they seized is well over $10,000.

RCMP Const. Sam Holm said in a phone interview with News/North vehicles were stopped and searched and the drivers of vehicles with alcohol in them were detained and then released.

He added the check stop was set up at this time of year because soon people will not be able to drive a vehicle into either community until next winter because they have no all-weather roads into them.

"It was a proactive patrol and with the anticipated break-up of the ice road. That's the last chance to get an (alcohol) supply run in before the demand spikes," Holm said.

"Once that ice road shuts down, the prices historically have jumped in these remote communities when the access is down."

RCMP Cpl. Jordan Forman, the Whati Detachment Commander, stated in a news release shutting down bootleggers lowers many forms of crime in these communities.

"The RCMP would like to re-affirm our commitment to investigate those who are selling alcohol illegally to people in the community. These people are at times known to sell to youth and other vulnerable individuals," stated Forman.

"These seizures will help curtail the problems that come along with the abuse of alcohol such as mischief and violent crime."

The release went on to state that Whati RCMP would like to use this liquor seizure as an opportunity to advise people of the community that they are compassionate about the issues that lead to substance abuse.

"Whati RCMP continue to be active members with the Whati inter-agency group that includes the community government, Tlicho Government, social services, health services, mental-health services, and the Mezi Community School," the release states.

"The goal of this group is to develop and implement programs with the support of the criminal justice system. The programs offered in the community will address the root causes of alcohol and substance abuse."

Whati and Gameti are two of about a half dozen completely dry communities in the NWT.

Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to contact Whati RCMP: 867-573-111; or by calling Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477). You can also go online at: nwtnutips.com; or text: NWTNUTIPS plus your message to 274637.

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