Police seize more booze, drugs in western Nunavut community

RCMP in Kugluktuk seized an estimated $9,500 worth of marijuana and bottles of vodka April 4. (PHOTO COURTESY OF RCMP)

Police in the western Nunavut community of Kugluktuk continue to crack down on drugs and illegal alcohol.

On April 4, RCMP members in the community seized marijuana and bottles of vodka, in amounts with an overall resale valued of $9,500, the RCMP said in an April 5 release.

Police later arrested an individual on charges of possession for the purposes of trafficking an illegal substance, along with possession of liquor under the Nunavut Liquor Act.

Kugluktuk is a restricted community, which means an elected alcohol education committee must approve all alcohol permits for community residents.

The accused is scheduled to appear in court May 9 in Kugluktuk.

Tips from community members have led the RCMP to two other recent seizures in the community of 1,600.

On March 20, RCMP members seized alcohol from two residents at the airport: nine 60-ounce bottles, two 40-ounce bottles, six beer cans and a bottle of mixed alcohol.

Days later, police seized more than $11,000 of marijuana and hashish oil from another Kugluktuk resident.

With the community set to host the Nattiq Frolics festivities this week, members of the RCMP detachment in Kugluktuk are warning residents and visitors alike that any non-permitted alcohol will be seized.

“The safety of the community is of the utmost importance and the Kugluktuk RCMP continues to work with the other government partners in order to keep the community safe,” the RCMP said in the release.

If you have information on illegal activity in Kugluktuk, you can call the local detachment at 867-882-0123 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.