Iqaluit RCMP bust large-scale illegal booze scheme

Nunavut RCMP seized all this booze earlier this month after doing searches on house 5004B and a taxi cab. (PHOTO COURTESY OF IQALUIT RCMP)

The Nunavut RCMP allege four Iqaluit men invested nearly a quarter of a million dollars in an illegal liquor distribution service over the past 15 months.

Police seized 89 60-ounce bottles of Smirnoff vodka, several 24-can cases of beer, two bottles of wine and $4,500 in cash after doing searches at house 5004A and inside a taxi cab.

Members of the RCMP federal enforcement section also found that since January 2009, four residents of house 5004A ordered 2,800 60-ounce bottles of vodka and 260 24-cases of beer.

The alcohol was acquired legally from outside Nunavut, using import permits.

Police estimate the total investment in this inventory, counting the cost of the liquor, the import permits and air cargo costs, is at least $235,000.

The RCMP have charged four Iqaluit men under the Nunavut Liquor Act with keeping liquor for sale: Daniel Hillman, 45; Guillaume Anctil, 26; Adamie Sakeeta, 28; and Nicolas Croteau-Pronovost, 26.

The quartet is scheduled to appear in court June 7.