Two men from Toronto face charges after police say they brought handguns to a Yellowknife Airbnb in an apparent cocaine trafficking operation.
In a Thursday news release, RCMP said officers obtained a search warrant for the downtown Airbnb on Tuesday.
Police say they found nearly 2.5 kg of a substance suspected to be cocaine, half a kilo of a white powder suspected to be a cutting agent, a loaded .357 revolver, a loaded 9mm Glock handgun, more than $2,000 in cash and other drug paraphernalia.
According to police, the estimated street value of the suspected substances is approximately $300,000.
RCMP said they had followed a man seen leaving the Airbnb in a taxi to a hotel where officers attempted to arrest him. Police allege the man fled on foot and “put up significant resistance” before he was arrested. Officers say they located a loaded 9mm Beretta handgun in the snow nearby.
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Police said a second man fled the Airbnb and was arrested with the help of a police service dog. RCMP said the man suffered minor injuries during the arrest and was taken to hospital for examination.
Romero Senior, 18, and Abel Mehare, 24 each face a range of charges related to trafficking and illegal firearms.
According to police, Mehare was on bail at the time of his arrest and facing a warrant on separate charges in Toronto.
“The presence of these armed individuals in Yellowknife is extremely concerning, particularly given the recent uptick in gun violence related to the drug trade,” Cpl Matt Halstead said in a statement.
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“We urge Airbnb owners and taxi-cab drivers to report any suspicious clients or activities to the police.”
Police have alleged a recent double homicide in Yellowknife is related to the illicit drug trade. No suspects have been arrested in relation to the deaths. Police have said firearms were involved.
RCMP said earlier this month a man was taken to hospital with injuries following a separate shooting in the city. Police said they believed that shooting was targeted but did not publicly connect the incident to the drug trade.
