RCMP uncover 5.4 kg of cocaine in record-breaking N.W.T. drug bust after pulling over a B.C. vehicle near Behchoko.
Historic Cocaine Bust on a Northern Highway
What began as a routine traffic stop on a quiet stretch of Highway 3 in the Northwest Territories has turned into a headline-making discovery — the largest cocaine bust in the territory’s history.
Earlier this month, officers from the Behchoko RCMP detachment pulled over a vehicle registered in British Columbia. At first, it seemed like any other stop. But soon, suspicions grew.
A Routine Stop Turns Into a Major Discovery
According to RCMP, officers noticed signs that the driver might be involved in drug trafficking. The man behind the wheel, identified as 39-year-old Akashdeep Dhillon, was arrested at the scene.
When investigators arrived, they searched the vehicle and found six vacuum-sealed packages along with various pieces of drug paraphernalia. Once tested, five packages revealed 5.4 kilograms of cocaine, while a sixth held an unidentified one-kilogram substance still awaiting lab results.
Record-Breaking Seizure and Ongoing Investigation
The discovery marks the largest cocaine seizure ever recorded in the Northwest Territories. Authorities are calling it a major blow to drug trafficking operations in the region.
Dhillon has been charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. He appeared before a Justice of the Peace and has been remanded into custody, with his next court appearance set for November 1 at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP Praises Teamwork Behind the Bust
Police credit the success of the operation to the sharp instincts of frontline officers and the continued efforts of the Territorial Crime Reduction Unit, which is now assisting with the ongoing investigation.
As the case unfolds, authorities hope this record-breaking seizure sends a strong message: drug trafficking will not go unnoticed in the North.
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