Police seize vodka, marijuana at Kugluktuk’s airport

Here’s a peek at the $2,750 worth of alcohol and drugs, which the RCMP seized at the Kugluktuk airport on March 11. (PHOTO/RCMP)

RCMP in Kugluktuk scooped up $2,750 worth of alcohol and drugs during a March 11 seizure at the community’s airport.

A March 15 news release from the RCMP said police received information that a woman was returning to Kugluktuk via a commercial airline with liquor and drugs.

Responding to that tip, members of the RCMP members went to the airport and intercepted the woman.

She was found be in possession of seven 375mL bottle and one bottle of 1.75 L of vodka, with an estimated street value of $1,250, and 29.4 grams of marijuana, an estimated street value of $1500, the release said.

The estimated street value of the seizure totalled $2,750, it said.

Shannah Meyok, 22, has been charged with unlawfully possessing liquor and drugs and will appear before the Nunavut Court of Justice in Kugluktuk on July 25.

“The Kugluktuk RCMP would like to thank residents for their assistance in this investigation and request community residents continue to report anybody involved with drugs and/or alcohol because together we can make Kugluktuk a safe community, “ the news release said.

Overall, alcohol-related offenses have decreased in Kugluktuk since the hamlet’s 2007 liquor plebiscite voted in an alcohol education committee with the power over who can bring in alcohol and how much.

All liquor orders in Kugluktuk are supposed to be approved by the community’s alcohol education committee.

Despite the existence of these controls, police and people in Kugluktuk have told Nunatsiaq News that local bootleggers continue to do a brisk business in alcohol, with vodka selling for as much $500 for a 60-ounce bottle.