N.W.T. RCMP Seize 5.4 kg Cocaine in Historic Drug Bust

UPDATE: In a stunning development, the Northwest Territories RCMP have confirmed the territory’s largest cocaine bust to date. This significant operation occurred on October 26, 2023, along Highway 3, when officers from the Behchoko detachment pulled over a vehicle registered in British Columbia.

Authorities report that during the traffic stop, suspicions arose regarding the driver, leading to the immediate arrest of Akashdeep Dhillon, aged 39. Upon examination, police discovered six vacuum-sealed packages suspected to contain illegal drugs, alongside various drug paraphernalia.

Testing revealed that five of the packages held a staggering 5.4 kg of cocaine, while the sixth package contained approximately 1 kg of an unknown substance. Police are currently conducting further analysis to determine the nature of this substance, heightening the urgency of the ongoing investigation.

As a result of this major drug seizure, Dhillon has been charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to traffic. He has already appeared before a Justice of the Peace and is now remanded in custody, with his next court appearance scheduled for November 1, 2023, at 1:30 p.m.

This operation marks a critical moment in the fight against drug trafficking in the Northwest Territories, and the RCMP are continuing their investigation with assistance from the Territorial Crime Reduction Unit. Police urge the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.

Stay tuned as this story develops, and follow us for the latest updates on this significant law enforcement action.