Police seize drugs, shotgun in Pangnirtung bust

RCMP seized drugs, a weapon and cash after searching a home in Pangnirtung on Sept. 1.

Police found 100 grams of methamphetamine, a sawed-off shotgun and an undisclosed amount of cash in the search, according to an RCMP news release issued Tuesday.

The bust followed a robbery that occurred earlier in the day involving three suspects all believed to be in their thirties, according to RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Tammy Keller.

Police allege the one of the suspects assaulted officers during the arrest. The officers were not injured, Keller told Nunatsiaq News.

Ken Papatsie, 32, faces eight charges: robbery, possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, mischief, two counts of assault on a police officer, and two counts of uttering threats.

He is being held in custody to appear in court Sept. 26.

Keller confirmed Papatsie was previously convicted of drug trafficking.

Police say two other suspects — 37-year-old Poasie Anilniliak and 38-year-old Archie Ishulutaq — each face 10 charges in connection with the Sept. 1 search.

The two are charged with robbery, three counts of failure to comply, possession of a prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order, careless storage of firearm, unauthorized possession of firearm, possessing a loaded firearm, possession of a weapon obtained by crime, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Anilniliak was taken into custody to appear in court Wednesday.

The RCMP said in its news release that an arrest warrant was issued for Ishulutaq and that it wants the public’s assistance in locating him.

On Tuesday, Keller said she could not provide a description of Ishulutaq. As of Wednesday morning, RCMP have not provided an update on whether Ishulutaq had been apprehended.