Two Toronto men are in custody, three illegal handguns are off the streets, and cocaine with a street value of $300,000 was seized following a dramatic takedown in Yellowknife this week.
The 18-and 24-year old men had been under surveillance operating out of a downtown Yellowknife Airbnb since mid-January by the the “G” Division’s Federal Arctic Unit
The older man, Abele Mehare, has an extensive criminal record and was wanted for allegedly breaching bail conditions in Toronto for apparent weapons offences.
In a release, the RCMP stated the investigators determined the targets were not only trafficking drugs, but also were in possession of firearms.
In the Airbnb, the following items were discovered:
- 2,477 grams of suspected cocaine;
- Approximately 514 grams of white powder, believed to be a cocaine cutting agent;
- A loaded .357 Revolver;
- A loaded 9 mm Glock Handgun;
- Over $2,000 in cash
- Other drug trafficking paraphernalia (scales, baggies etc.)
RCMP stated the estimated street value of the cocaine when mixed and packaged for sale is approximately $300,000
Media Relations Officer Corporal Matt Halstead stated that given recent events in Yellowknife and the risk to public safety, investigators took enforcement action “as soon as possible.”
Halstead stated that the “presence of these armed individuals in Yellowknife is extremely concerning, particularly given the recent uptick in gun violence related to the drug trade.”
On March 16, an early morning a double homicide on residential Bigelow Crescent was connected by RCMP to drug trafficking.
“We encourage people to report suspicious activities to the police. These subjects specifically utilized Airbnb’s and taxi-cabs as a safe-haven to conduct their illicit business.
Halstead urged Airbnb owners and taxi-cab drivers to report any suspicious clients or activities to the police.
On March 26, a search warrant for the unit was obtained and executed by the Emergency Response Team (ERT).
- Prior to the execution of the warrant, a male was observed departing the unit in a taxi cab.
- He was followed to a local hotel, and RCMP members attempted to arrest him. He ran off and “put up significant resistance before being taken into custody,” stated Halstead.
- A loaded 9mm Beretta handgun was located in the snow in the immediate vicinity of his arrest. The handgun was later determined to have been stolen in the city of Edmonton.
- As the ERT approached the Airbnb to execute the search warrant, a male fled out the door.
- He was very quickly apprehended, suffering ‘minor injuries’, with the assistance of Police Service Dog Kazoo.
The two Toronto men are charged with a number of drug and weapons counts.
Eighteen-year-old Romero Senior is charged with:
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking Cocaine
- Trafficking Cocaine
- Carrying a concealed weapon
- Unauthorized Possession of a firearm (three counts)
- Possession of restricted firearm with ammunition (three counts)
- Possess property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Fail to comply with undertaking (two counts)
- Resist/Obstruct Police Officer
Twenty-four-year-old Abele Mehare is charged with:
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking Cocaine
- Trafficking Cocaine
- Resist/Obstruct Police Officer
- Unauthorized Possession of a firearm (two counts)
- Possession of restricted firearm with ammunition (two counts)
- Possess property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Fail to comply with Undertaking (three counts)
Mehere was on bail with a Toronto arrest warrant issued alleging:
- Breach Recognizance
- Possession of a Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm
- Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
- Possession of a Prohibited Restricted Weapon Knowing Possession Unauthorized
- Possession Firearm Knowing Possession is Unauthorized
- Careless Storage of Firearm
- Possession of a Weapon
- Possession Prohibited Dev/Ammo Knowing Possession Unauthorized (two counts)
- Unauthorized Possession Prohibited Device or Ammunition
Anyone who has information about drug trafficking in the City of Yellowknife or communities of Ndilǫ and Dettah is asked to contact the Yellowknife RCMP at 867-669-1111 or Crime Stoppers at p3tips.com.
In the event of an emergency call, 911.
