Two arrested as Inuvik RCMP seize shotguns, drug paraphernalia

Two people have been arrested and charged after Inuvik police reporting seizing three shotguns, drugs, and paraphernalia in a February 12 search.

Tyler Christensen, 28, and 21-year-old Mariah Sharphead – both from Edmonton, Alberta – are in custody after police executed a warrant at an Inuvik hotel and one of the suspect’s cars, RCMP said.

Both are charged with drug possession and firearms-related offences. They were scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, a police news release stated.

Last week, Inuvik RCMP said officers went to a local hotel after finding one of the suspects was in breach of the conditions of their release. As the suspect was being arrested, police say officers saw drug paraphernalia in the hotel room.

RCMP say they subsequently arrested three other people in the hotel room for possession of drugs, then came back with a search warrant and found three shotguns and ammunition, digital scales, cell phones, and packaging materials.

While police stated they found drugs, they did not specify which substances or in what amount.

Inuvik’s detachment commander, Sgt Grant Thom, reiterated the profoundly negative impact drug trafficking has on the Beaufort Delta community.

“The consequences are widespread, ranging from negative health, social, and financial outcomes, to an increased risk of exposure to violence,” he said in Tuesday’s news release.