RCMP smash drug ring
Seven suspects charged; crack cocaine, firearms and cash seized in raids
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Yellowknife RCMP has put a major dent in the local drug trade after a series of arrests and seizures of crack cocaine, powdered cocaine, firearms, ammunition and cash - believed to be proceeds of crime.
RCMP display its haul of cocaine, firearms and cash after a major drug sweep in the city Friday. Police raided two residences, a storage locker and a vehicle resulting in seven arrests. Police say five of those charged moved to the city to sell drugs. - photo courtesy of RCMP |
According to a news release from the Mounties, officers last month identified a network of people - most of whom were from out of town - who had recently set up a drug distribution network in the city. Police then launched an investigation. It culminated with the Federal Investigation Unit's execution of two residential and two non-residential search warrants in the city on Friday and the arrest of seven suspects.
About 300 grams of crack cocaine, a small amount of powdered cocaine, four firearms, ammunition, cash estimated to be in excess of $50,000 and a safe were seized.
The two residential search warrants were executed downtown and the other two were executed on a storage locker and a vehicle, police stated in an email.
Sgt. Dean Riou of the G Division Federal Investigations Unit said five of the seven people charged are believed to have moved to Yellowknife to sell drugs.
"Three of those people were already facing serious charges in other jurisdictions. Another one of the seven was on parole as a result of a previous drug trafficking conviction. This group is part of a larger network operating throughout Canada, and it is concerning that they were attempting to establish a foothold in Yellowknife," Riou stated in the news release.
"We are pleased our short investigation resulted in the seizure of guns and cocaine, as well as significant proceeds derived from the sale of drugs. The seized money could have been used to benefit families and the community and is instead ending up in the hands of organized crime."
Riou went on to state the weapons seized included a sawed-off shotgun and a Mossberg .22 calibre semi-automatic rifle. At least one of the firearms is believed to have been stolen in Yellowknife, Riou stated.
According to Riou, two suspects are also charged with impersonation after allegedly maintaining the identity of another person during the arrest and booking process or during previous dealings with police in the investigation.
All of the accused appeared in court yesterday and were held in custody.
