Iqaluit pair arrested on weapons, drugs charges

RCMP in Iqaluit say they have arrested two men after cocaine, cash and weapons were found when officers searched two residences on Ikaluktuutiaq Drive.

One ounce of cocaine, $17,000 in cash, a loaded handgun, a stolen firearm, multiple cellphones and pepper spray or spray was discovered while two search warrants were being carried out on Jan. 24, RCMP said in a news release Thursday.

Police also found three polar bear carvings believed to have been stolen. Investigators ask anyone who recognizes the carvings to contact the RCMP at 867-975-0123.

RCMP believe these carvings, found during searches at Iqaluit residences on Jan. 24, were stolen. (Photo courtesy of Nunavut RCMP)

One suspect, a 42-year-old man, is charged with trafficking and possession of a controlled substance; possession of property obtained by crime; three counts of possessing a firearm obtained in a crime; two counts of careless storage of a firearm; possession of a prohibited weapon without a licence; and possession of a prohibited firearm without a licence.

He is being held in custody with a court appearance scheduled for Feb. 11 in Iqaluit.

A second man, age 40, is charged with trafficking a controlled substance; possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking; and possession of proceeds obtained in a crime.

He was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 27 in Iqaluit.

“Taking any drugs off the streets has a positive effect on our community,” said Const. Dave Mills, of the RCMP’s general investigations section, in the release.

“Making a seizure like this puts a dent in the selling of these harmful substances, and has a positive ripple effect into the prevention of property crime, which is fueled from the buying of drugs.”