Three People Charged in Hay River Drug Investigation

A Hay River woman and two individuals from BC have received numerous charges after a multi-day evasion from the RCMP.

On March 27^th, Hay River officers tried to pull over a vehicle for a traffic offense, but the vehicle sped away down a residential street. The officers elected to not engage in a pursuit, and later discovered the vehicle had collided with a signpost. The occupants had fled the scene on foot, and only a firearm was recovered from the crash.

On March 28^th, officers were informed that a person had been injured and was being held hostage at a local residence. Police arrived at the scene and entered the residence where three people were arrested, and the victim was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. One of the arrests was determined to be the driver of the vehicle from the day before.

A search of the residence revealed a number of drug trafficking supplies. A proper search warrant was quickly acquired, resulting in police finding around 700 grams of suspected crack-cocaine, one firearm and a replica firearm, along with more than $17,000. The money is believed to have been made through criminal means.

40-year-old Trisha Tambour of Hay River is charged with one count of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking in relation to the cocaine. She was released from custody on an Undertaking, and will appear in Hay River Territorial Court on June 17^th.

As for the other two suspects, 21-year-old Hindowa Sama from British Columbia has been charged with:

• Aggravated Assault
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• Careless Use of a Firearm
• Forcible Confinement
• 2 counts of Failure to Comply with a Release Order
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (cocaine)

He has already made an appearance before a Justice of the Peace, and will appear in court again on April 2^nd.

19-year-old Evan Rochon, also from British Columbia, has been charged with:

• Aggravated Assault
• 2 counts of Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• 5 counts of Failure to Comply with a Release Order
• Forcible Confinement
• 2 counts of Unsafe Storage of a Firearm
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (cocaine)
• Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
• Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
• Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Flight From a Peace Officer

His next court appearance will be on April 3^rd.