Police nab $22,000 in contraband

ODILE NELSON

It may have been more difficult than taking candy from a baby, but thanks to tips from residents, Kativik Regional Police raked in more than half a kilogram of marijuana and 1,280 ounces of contraband alcohol last week.

From Jan. 15 to 17, police conducted a series of illegal shipment seizures at airports across Nunavik. By the end of their search, police had hauled in more than $22,000 in illegal substances. At least five people now face charges for bootlegging or drug possession.

KRPF chief Brian Jones said he was pleased with the haul but even more satisfied with the community involvement that lead to it.

Many individuals are now recognizing the repercussions illegal drug and alcohol use has on their communities, Jones said. He credits these people with providing tips that lead to the confiscations.

“We are encouraged. Compared to two years ago and to now it’s an enormous improvement,” Jones said. “We set up this anonymous 1-800 number now that people can use if they know some drugs are coming to their community and they are concerned. People are using it.”

The first seizure took place Jan. 15 in Kangirsuk. Police, acting on a tip, stopped a woman at the airport and seized a box she was carrying. Inside the box, they discovered 67 grams of marijuana, hidden inside pairs of blue jeans.

The woman was questioned by police and then released pending charges.

Kangirsuk operations continued the next day when police returned to the airport and confiscated 12 40-ounce bottles of vodka. Charges are pending against one man in relation to the incident.

Then on Jan. 17, police in Inukjuak and Kangiqsualujjuaq carried out their own seizures. In Inukjuak, police netted 27 12-ounce bottles of vodka and 75 one-gram packages of pot. Kangiqsualujjuaq police seized 235 grams of marijuana.

Police arrested suspects in relation to each incident but each was released until a prosecutor could lay formal charges.

Kuujjuaq, Umiujaq and Kuujjuarapik police also made drug and alcohol seizures over the past week.

Jones said he is unsure of the precise number of seizures the KRPF made in relation to the amount of illegal drug and alcohol shipments that enter Nunavik each month.

But when 80 per cent of all police calls are drug or alcohol related, Jones said, ending problems before they tax other community services seems like the best course of action.

“If you drop a full case of liquor into any of these communities there’s only two officers there, generally, to deal with what happens. It’s important to stop it because we know what the consequences will be. It puts a strain on our officers and a strain on other agencies in the community,” Jones said.

A mayor of one of the communities, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he supported the police but he wished they would increase their efforts.

“The communities have pushed the police to do more. The communities are seeking help with alcohol and drugs. Police are responding well but we’re asking police to do more,” he said.

The mayor could not say if these latest police efforts would deter others in his community from trying to smuggle in illegal substances.