Second Toronto man charged after YK crack cocaine bust

A Toronto man is being sought by Yellowknife RCMP in connection with the seizure of nearly 3,000 baggies of crack cocaine two months ago.

Police said on Wednesday they don’t know where to find Shaan Tareen, a 31-year-old who has a glass eye and uses the alias Larry – but they think he’s no longer in Yellowknife.

RCMP had at one point arrested Tareen but released him without charge. Police now say new evidence has come to light.

Wednesday’s statement came after the arrest of a first suspect, Noel Tesfazion, on May 9, and a search of the 30-year-old’s Range Lake apartment.

Police called the haul of drugs discovered “substantial,” including 2,900 “pre-packaged baggies” of crack cocaine and 157 grams of cocaine alongside $1,600 in cash.

An RCMP handout image of drugs seized on May 9.

At the time, Staff Sergeant Dean Riou warned of the need to quell a “strong demand” for crack cocaine in the Northwest Territories.

Tesfazion was charged in May and later released on bail. This week, Tareen was added to the list – he faces charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime.

Police first arrested Tareen at Yellowknife’s airport in May and released him without charge, only to “uncover fresh evidence which led to these charges being laid,” said Riou.

RCMP produced a description and photo of Tareen on Wednesday as they work to track him down.

“Tareen is described as an olive-skinned male with dark hair and has a glass eye,” a news release stated. “He used the alias of ‘Larry’ while in Yellowknife.”

Anyone with information on Tareen’s whereabouts is asked to contact Yellowknife RCMP at 669-1111 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.