Police announce liquor seizures in Nunavut, Nunavik
Nunavik actions also led to cocaine being seized, suspects charged
Nunavik police seized 60 bottles of vodka following a search in Inukjuak last month. (Photo courtesy of Nunavik Police Service)
There have been multiple liquor seizures in Nunavut and Nunavik over the past few weeks.
RCMP in Nunavut announced Thursday that officers confiscated 36 bottles of Smirnoff vodka at the Iqaluit airport on Wednesday. Police said in a news release the liquor was in luggage belonging to a man heading to Clyde River.
Clyde River is one of a dozen Nunavut communities with alcohol restrictions. People in that community hoping to purchase alcohol must first apply to the local alcohol education committee.
The 30-year-old suspect was arrested “without incident,” police said in the release. He is charged with keeping liquor for sale under Nunavut’s Liquor Act.
As well, the Nunavik Police Service announced several busts Thursday in Inukjuak and Kuujjuaq.
On Nov. 29 in Inukjuak, police seized 60 bottles of Smirnoff vodka, five bottles of Captain Morgan rum and $7,086 in cash.
Meanwhile, officers in Kuujjuaq conducted two drug busts at the end of last month.
On Nov. 20, they seized cocaine, crack and cellphones from a home. An individual, not identified in the release, was charged with possession and trafficking of crack cocaine.
Then on Nov. 23, police carried out a search warrant and seized cocaine, cellphones, a laptop computer and a money-counting machine from another home in Kuujjuaq.
Two people were arrested following that bust and released with an order to appear in court.
WHAT , NO TEQUILA ?????????
Lol, you know you not allow that stuff. For mature sensibly people only. You have no rights to alcohol like that.
They don’t have the license to do so. They can be taken to court.
and yet there are 100’s of illegal gamboling “sale spots for item” on every single sell/swap page in Nunavut. It’s time for one of these “busted” individuals to sue the RCMP for targeting only 1 illegal act.
Why is it that RCMP can prosecute 1 area of the law and not others? What you don’t think that there is harm in illegal gamboling? Everyone says “it’s alright their artists” why does that make an illegal act legal? Where are the news stories on the illegal gamboling in Nunavut and why it is not prosecuted by the RCMP.
If I EVER got busted for anything I would just use the excuse that the RCMP are only targeting a certain illegal activity and they are not actually upholding the law.
Every defense should start with… I saw Jane selling illegal spots for a jacket on sell/swap so I figured it was okay to sell a bottle of vodka. What’s the difference?
Guessing this message is not about running and jumping playfully; I hope the RCMP won’t be charging people for that. Gambling may be addictive but does it lead to the types of violent acts alcohol does? If gambling is not associated with violence like alcohol is, maybe that is why the RCMP focusses on alcohol. They have to prioritize their work, makes sense to focus on things that lead to violence…
The difference is there are laws controlling selling alcohol
Nunavut is a territory of Canada and therefore, the Canadian Criminal Code is the utmost law to be abided. A municipal bylaw or some community statute that prohibits a person from bringing in or possessing (what is viewed as) large quantities of alcohol carries no weight. That is why you see the alcohol being seized, and at best, a fine handed out. Unless you are caught in the process of manufacturing or distributing alcohol, I cannot see how you are breaking a real law.
It’s the little boys that they’re after. Little boys and girls too, who kick and squirm and cause too much noise when they have a drink. Gamblers have not been seen doing that unless they are little ones too who can’t handle drinking. We drinkers want the police to continue to get them idiots out of our way. Drinking is for mature people who can do without the noise .
Bravo, keep up the good work Nunavik Police, poor fellow in a wrong position, sigh *~*
Common, it’s almost Christmas why wreck yourself in a complete bad environment???
At least , there will be precents for some kid this christmas .
right because those that buy from bootleggers will just be like… oh no one person got busted, guess i will just spend the $150 on a mikki on presents or food now… right
what they will do is sale something for another $50 so they have $200 and buy from another bootlegger in town that uped the price because there is less in town now.
60 bottles, at an average of $300 for 26 oz bottles is $18,000. Anything under that value in punishment makes the sentence and fines a slap on the wrist.
There should be EXTREMELY harsh punishments on Bootleggers if Nunavut actually wants to curb the sale of illegal alcohol.
Does anyone ever wonder out loud why there are restrictions in the first place. Then go on to ask why there are bootlegging. We all know why the restrictions are in place, but not many are saying it as a fact. Until it’s admitted that the reason for restrictions are far more important aspect to consider, then any issue with bootleggers could ever be. It’s like bootlegging is incredibly more dangerous, then the reality, (IF there were no restrictions). Like if there were no restrictions it would be the biggest hell on earth in the northern territories of Canada. Restrictions gives some solace and peace and saves soooo many lives. But more talk needed on why there are restrictions.
Here is we are in a discussion about what? Is it really about bootlegging or is it about not being able to hold your liquor? The reason bootlegging has a negative image is that it’s in the same end of the day results as buying alcohol legally from the sales clerk at the store: both ways of getting alcohol results in trouble makers who can’t hold their liquor
When you buy alcohol from a bootlegger, or buy from a store, and you can’t handle alcohol. What’s the difference? Spade is a spade. Black is black. Bootlegging has been gone from the civilized world for a long time. Bootlegging today has a whole new reason , beyond what it used to be. Today we can buy alcohol, pretty much anytime. No need for bootlegging —-Unless what, where when and how ? Answer that question thoroughly. And reflect on the real, the reason, and open up your mine to discover the limits of northern civilization.
I was in a discussion circle recently. It was when alcohol topic for the villages came up , that things got quiet. The discussion was all about why the north has restrictions. As many suggested, and most agreed, it was because too many people can’t process alcohol, without violence and family breakdown, and all the negative effects. Someone suggested that it must be an allergy. Like people drink alcohol, and p most are fine, but some people drink alcohol, and they go off their head. What caused that? Some say , it’s because some people are not used to alcohol. Ok, how long does it take to get used to it ? And do we allow the violence, and accept that violence, while they are getting used to it ? It sure shone light on the participants interpretation. Do you believe, restricted alcohol use is because of an allergy to alcohol, that causes violent behaviour in those affected, if not what is it?
I know it’s not realistic, but I think it would be the greatest thing since the Scot’s introduced bannock and flour to the north, if only the sensible drinkers could permanently prevent the childlike people from accessing alcohol. Start calling them out, and making life misery for them, a taste of their own doing. People are sick of the lunatics.