A months-long investigation by the Yukon RCMP's drug section has culminated in the seizure of drugs and weapons from three homes in Whitehorse.

On Monday, police executed three search warrants on homes in Riverdale and Copper Ridge.

What they found was a cache of weapons. They included a high-powered, military-style rifle and ammunition, brass knuckles, smoke grenades and bullet-resistant body armour.

Bats, knives and bear spray were in easily-accessible locations.

Cocaine, marijuana and a substance being misrepresented on the streets as ecstasy were also seized.

RCMP Cpl. Calista Macleod said today police are still investigating to find out exactly what the fake ecstasy pills are made of, though it is not at this point believed to be an illegal substance.

Selling something claiming it is an illegal substance — even if its not — is still illegal, Macleod said.

Three Whitehorse men, Christopher Rock Brisson, 22, Joshua Connor Manning, 21, and Daniel Raymond Silver, 36, now face a series of charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Criminal Code, all related to the illegal drug trade.

All three men are known to police.

Brisson has been charged with the possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, two counts of failing to comply with a recognizance and one count of the possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Manning is facing seven counts of trafficking in cocaine, one count of trafficking in MDMA and one count of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Silver has been charged with the possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition and three counts of possession of a firearm contrary to prohibition order.

The three men appeared in court Monday and were held in custody on the charges.

The operation, dubbed Project Monochrome, is continuing even after the arrests of the men, said Macleod.

"The team is still processing the evidence collected so far, and are keeping an eye out for information and leads that could take us in new directions, including potential connections to organized crime groups in southern Canada,” she said.

Considering how much evidence there is to go through, there is a chance of more charges being laid in the future, she said.

At this point, police do not believe the drugs were made in Whitehorse.

"We're going to have to figure out where the drugs came from,” Macleod said.

Ten to 12 officers took part in Project Monochrome, which lasted several months leading up to the arrests.

Macleod noted that disagreements among traffickers, conflict with competitors, debt collection and other tensions can potentially escalate to violence and can quickly put innocent bystanders in harm's way.

"What this seizure underscores is how dangerous this trade can be,” the officer said.

"Not only are illegal drugs involved, but there are frequently weapons close at hand, where they may quickly be brought into play.”

Macleod encouraged the public to talk to the police and inform officers of activities in their communities.

"Taking drugs, weapons and equipment that pose a threat to our communities off the street is an important step forward,” she said.

"But as long as there's a demand for these products in our community, there will be criminal elements trying to get in to supply it.

"Police can't do the whole job by themselves — we really need the community to work together to bring down the demand while we continue to disrupt the supply.”