RCMP in Yellowknife say they seized three handguns and over two kilograms of suspected cocaine during a search on Tuesday around 10:40 p.m.
Police said the seizures are part of a drug-trafficking investigation that started in January.
“Given recent events in Yellowknife and the risk to public safety investigators took enforcement action as soon as possible,” RCMP said in a news release Thursday.
Along with 2,477 grams of suspected cocaine and three handguns, police also seized over $2,000 in cash and other drug-trafficking paraphernalia.
Romero Senior, 18, and Abele Mehare, 24, both from Toronto, each face a long list of charges.
Police also said Mehare was on bail at the time of the incident, for offences committed in Toronto.
Both men were renting an Airbnb in Yellowknife, police said.
Before the search was executed, a male was seen departing the unit in a taxi. Police followed him to a local hotel and RCMP attempted to arrest him before he fled on foot.
Police found the man, who put up “significant resistance before being taken into custody.”
A handgun, which was later determined to be stolen from Edmonton, was found in the snow where he was arrested, police said.
The team then went to the Airbnb, where they arrested the second man, who fled out the door.
Police said the man “suffered minor injuries during the arrest and was taken to hospital for examination prior to being lodged in cells.
“He was very quickly apprehended with the assistance of Police Service Dog Kazoo and taken into custody,” police said.
“The presence of these armed individuals in Yellowknife is extremely concerning, particularly given the recent uptick in gun violence related to the drug trade,” media relations officer Cpl. Matt Halstead said in the release.
“We encourage people to report suspicious activities to the police,” Halstead added. “We urge Airbnb owners and taxi-cab drivers to report any suspicious clients or activities to the police.”
Source link