RCMP make ‘largest seizure’ of drugs and cash in Canadian Arctic history
Claire McFarlane,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The RCMP’s Federal Arctic Unit says it has made the largest seizure of illicit drugs and money in the history of the Northwest Territories.
The announcement was made at a press conference on Friday afternoon in Yellowknife.
RCMP say they executed a search warrant at two properties and a vehicle on February 4 that led to the seizure of more than $360,000 in cash, 4.7 kg of cocaine and a taser.
The amount of cocaine seized was the equivalent of 16,000 doses of the drug, RCMP said, with an estimated street value of $950,000.
The properties searched included an apartment in the School Draw neighbourhood of Yellowknife and a home located in the city’s downtown.
Three people were arrested. RCMP identified them as 25-year-old Sapphire Ingham of Alberta, 30-year-old Nuridin Ali of Toronto and Brandon Alexander Thomas, 30, also a resident of Toronto.
“Although they’re from the outside area, they do have some ties to the community, and we are continuing to investigate that aspect,” said Lisa Moreland, regional commander for federal policing.
All three people arrested remain in custody in the N.W.T., Moreland said.
RCMP said the search warrants were executed as part of a “comprehensive investigation” to disrupt drug trafficking in the N.W.T. that began in the fall of 2024.
Moreland said the investigation is ongoing and as a result, RCMP are not able to share information about how the drugs were transported to Yellowknife.
Claire McFarlane,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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