The Yellowknife RCMP have just shared the results of a months long investigation, which resulted in what they believe is the largest seizure of illicit drugs and cash in the history of the Northwest Territories.
RCMP commanders with the Yellowknife detachment held a press conference at noon on Friday, February 14th to share the news, lead by Assistant Commissioner Lisa Moreland.
“We all know that illicit drugs can destroy lives. The spread of these drugs often brings serious and untold harm to the communities. We also know that drug traffickers, who sell these toxic and dangerous substances have no regard for the safety of others and often prey on the most vulnerable, all in the name of profit.”
A/Commr. Moreland then discussed the details of the case.
The investigation began in fall of 2024, when members of the RCMP’s Federal Policing Arctic Unit began a thorough effort to disrupt the drug trade in the Northwest Territories, with the help of NWT officers, as well as officers from the Yukon, and other specialized federal resources.
Through the investigation, a number of unique tactics were used to locate drug trafficking elements, with many connections being made between NWT locations, as well as Edmonton and Toronto.
The investigation came to a head on February 4th, as officers carried out search warrants on two local properties and one vehicle. One property was a residence in Yellowknife’s downtown area, with the other being an apartment in the School Draw area.
Through these searches, the RCMP was able to seize a taser, over $360,000 in cash, and 4.7 kg of cocaine, which represents an estimated 16,000 doses, and carries a street value of $950,000.
(Photo by Connor Pitre/True North FM Staff)
Three individuals have been taken into custody and charged with various trafficking offences.
25-year-old Sapphire Ingham from Edmonton has been charged with:
- Trafficking Cocaine
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
- Possession of a Prohibited Firearm, and
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
30-year-old Nuridin Ali of Toronto has been charged with:
- Trafficking Cocaine
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Knowing Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
- Possession of Prohibited Firearm with Ammunition
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
- Possession of a Firearm Contrary to a Prohibition Order, and
- Failure to Comply with a Probation Order
30-year-old Alexander Thomas of Toronto has been charged with:
- Trafficking Cocaine
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Knowing Possession of Prohibited Weapon
- Possession of Prohibited Firearm with Ammunition
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000, and
- Possession of a Firearm contrary to a Prohibition Order
“We believe this is the largest drug seizure as well as money seizure in the history of the Northwest Territories. 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.”
A/Commr. Moreland noted that all three of these suspects come from outside of the NWT. Their connections to the North, as well as many other aspects of this case, are still under heavy investigation.
