The largest drug bust in the Northwest Territories’ history netted RCMP $360,000 in cash; and 4.7 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value when broken down for sale of $950,000.
Three people from outside the territory were arrested and weapons also seized in the February 4th raid on two properties and one vehicle in Yellowknife, RCMP said on Friday.
“We believe this is the largest drug seizure as well as money seizure in the history of the Northwest Territories,” said Assistant Commissioner, Lisa Moreland, who is the Regional Commander Federal Policing in the northwest region.
More than $360,000 in cash and 4.7 kgs of cocaine with an estimated street value of $950,000 on display at Yellowknife RCMP headquarters on Friday. (James O’Connor/CKLB)
“There is no doubt that this investigation has significantly disrupted a drug trafficking and organized crime network within the Northwest Territories, and I am confident that it will make a difference to residents throughout the area.”
Police invited the media to see a table filled with bundled $100, $50 and $20 bills, along with cocaine in large baggies. There was also a money counter and a Taser on display.
Three individuals have been remanded after making initial court appearances. All face trafficking, weapons and possession of property obtained by crime, and other charges.
Those arrested are: Sapphire Ingham, 25, of Edmonton; Nuridin Ali, 30, of Toronto; and Brandon Alexander Thomas, 30, of Toronto.
“You’ll note that these individuals are all from outside of the Northwest Territories … although they’re from the outside area, they do have some ties to the community, and we continue to investigate that aspect,” said Moreland.
In the fall of 2024, the RCMP’s Federal Arctic Unit embarked on a comprehensive investigation to disrupt drug traffickers operating within the Northwest Territories, stated the RCMP.
A number of investigative techniques were used throughout this investigation and it’s through this work that officers determined that organized crime elements, associated to individuals from Toronto and Edmonton, were trafficking drugs within the region.
On February 4th, search warrants were executed at two properties and on one vehicle in Yellowknife.
The first property was a home located in the downtown area and the second property was an apartment in the School Draw area.
