RCMP in Whatì say they have seized more than 100 bottles of alcohol entering the community.
Police say the alcohol was “intercepted” on two separate occasions: July 22, when 54 bottles were seized, and August 10, when 50 bottles were seized. All bottles taken into police control were 375 ml.
In a news release, Sgt Ken Bear said this amount of alcohol is “significant” for a community of around 520 people.
“Substance abuse remains a top priority for the Whatì detachment,” Bear said in a news release on Friday.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
“The illegal sale of alcohol is targeting their most vulnerable citizens, and this seizure helps in reducing the harm caused by illegal alcohol in the community.”
Whatì is currently accessible only by air save for a short winter road season, and is a so-called “dry community” where alcohol is prohibited under the NWT Liquor Act.
A new all-season road to the community is being built. A ground-breaking ceremony for work on that road is due to take place on Saturday.
RCMP are still investigating the two alcohol seizures and say they hope to lay charges.
If you have information that might help, contact Whatì RCMP at 573-1111 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
