The Yukon RCMP Crime Reduction Unit arrested three men and seized nearly a kilogram of suspected drugs following a months-long trafficking investigation in Whitehorse, according to a Feb. 2 news release.
The investigation began in January and focused on suspected trafficking activity in the city. Police executed a search warrant in the Porter Creek subdivision on Jan. 31, with assistance from the RCMP Emergency Response Team.
During the investigation, Yukon RCMP said they were led to a second location in downtown Whitehorse, where officers arrested three men who were inside a vehicle.
Yukon RCMP identified the accused as 19‑year‑old Riley Sutton of Surrey, B.C., 59‑year‑old Calvin Pemberton of Whitehorse, and 20‑year‑old Abishan Gnanabakaran of Vancouver. Police said a search following the arrests turned up about 40 grams of suspected cocaine, along with cash, cellphones, a digital scale and a small amount of suspected fentanyl.
The vehicle was also seized and searched, according to the news release. Officers reported finding $1,300 in Canadian currency, a cell phone, a scale and two knives inside.
The investigation continued after the arrests, leading officers to a storage locker in Whitehorse, stated RCMP. A search warrant was obtained and executed at the locker, where police say they seized more than 900 grams of suspected cocaine, along with a vacuum sealer, packaging materials and substances believed to be cutting agents.
All three men were held in custody and appeared in court at 10 a.m. on Feb. 1. They remain in custody and are scheduled to return at 1 p.m. on Feb. 2.
Court records show the men are set to appear for bail hearings.
Sutton and Gnanabakaran each face charges of trafficking in cocaine, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000. Pemberton has been charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of fentanyl and possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000.
The investigation is ongoing.
Contact Jake Howarth at jake.howarth@yukon-news.com