Qikiqtarjuak man collared in drug bust

IQALUIT — A Qikiqtarjuak man is facing drug trafficking charges following a drug bust in that small Baffin community.

On Feb. 9, acting on a tip from concerned citizens, the Qikiqtarjuak RCMP searched a residence and seized around $10,000 in marijuana and hard liquor.

Cpl. Ken Goodine said the case is still under investigation but no more arrests are likely.

Goodine said the seizure was a significant drug bust for a community the size of Qikiqtarjuak. The drug trade, he said, “causes a major money drain out of the community. It’s nice to be able to stop it a little bit now and then.”

Timusie Kooneelusie, 37, of Qikiqtarjuak, was arrested Feb. 9 by the RCMP and charged with drug trafficking.