A drug trafficking investigation in Port Hardy has led to the arrest of two people on Wednesday, according to RCMP.
Port Hardy RCMP says officers executed a search warrant on Thunderbird Way in Port Hardy and found approximately 170 grams of illicit hard drugs, 900 grams of cannabis, illegal cigarettes, cash and weapons.
The two people were arrested for possession for the purpose of trafficking, and charges have been recommended to the prosecution service.
These arrests come two months after Gwa’Sala-Nakwaxda’xw First Nations declared a state of emergency due to the high number of deaths of young people in the region.
On March 1, the Nations said 11 people had died in the first two months of the year, many of them related to drugs or alcohol. The Gwa’Sala-Nakwaxda’xw First Nations have a population of around 600 people.
READ PREVIOUS: North Island First Nations declare state of emergency after 11 deaths in 2 months
As part of the declaration, the Nations called on the RCMP to do more to address drugs in the community.
“The RCMP have been reluctant to work with GNN in enforcing GNN bylaws and council resolutions to restrict or remove drug dealers to try and prevent dealers from bringing deadly drugs into the community,” the emergency declaration released on March 1 said.
At the time, RCMP told CHEK News it is committed to addressing the issue.
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Laura Brougham
