Squatters in a recently vacated Yellowknife apartment were sitting on one-kilogram of methamphetamine – likely the largest seizure ever of the psychoactive stimulant in the NWT.
It all began on May 22, when city RCMP received a report that several people were unlawfully inside an empty apartment, reads a release.
Officers attended and arrested a subject who was attempting to escape through the balcony.
A search warrant was later obtained for the unit, in which was found two handguns, over $12,000 in cash, a quantity of prescription drugs, illicit cannabis products, and a large quantity of suspected cocaine were seized, along with other drug paraphernalia.
On July 24 Yellowknife RCMP received the results of the analysis completed on the seized drugs.
Const. Josh Seaward speaks for the NWT RCMP.
“It was revealed that one kilogram of the suspected cocaine was actually methamphetamine, which had been pressed into pill form,” he stated.
“The RCMP believes this is the largest seizure of this substance in the Northwest Territories to date.”
Twenty-one-year-old Musab Ibrahim of Saskatoon, is charged with:
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.
- Possession of items intended to produce a controlled substance.
- Two counts of possession of a firearm with ammunition without a licence, contrary to section.
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
- Being unlawfully in a dwelling house.
- Possession of a prohibited device.
The accused appeared before a Justice of the Peace and was released to appear in court at a later date.
Methamphetamine produces a euphoric high and can be used to increase alertness, energy and self-confidence, states the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction.
It also produces harmful physiological and psychological effects, including headache, elevated heart rate and body temperature, hallucinations and delusions.
Regular use is associated with an increased risk of addiction, psychotic symptoms and cognitive impairment such as memory loss.
Police are still Investigating the matter, and ask that anyone who has information is asked to contact the Yellowknife RCMP at 867-669-1111 or Crime Stoppers at p3tips.com.
– with files from James O’Connor
