Many charges laid after police seize cocaine and marijuana
A Whitehorse man is facing multiple drug charges in an arrest involving what Yukon RCMP have labelled "one of the most significant organized crime investigations in the territory to date.”
A Whitehorse man is facing multiple drug charges in an arrest involving what Yukon RCMP have labelled "one of the most significant organized crime investigations in the territory to date.”
Police said this morning investigators have arrested five men in connection with the case and have seized cocaine and marijuana.
The specific amounts of the drug seized are not being provided at this time.
As Cpl. Calista MacLeod explained during an interview, evidence is still being processed, and more information could be forthcoming in the next few days.
She noted that it was "several kilograms” seized.
The investigation, which MacLeod said has been ongoing through much of 2013, targeted a supply line "that has been bringing in illegal drugs in kilogram quantities.”
Though initial arrests have been made, the investigation is continuing in both the Yukon and B.C.
MacLeod said depending on the outcome of that work, there could be more arrests made in the future.
Jesse Ritchie, 34, of Whitehorse, is facing five counts of trafficking cocaine, one count of conspiracy to traffic cocaine and two counts of trafficking marijuana.
Meanwhile, 37-year-old Asif Aslam and 35-year-old Matthew Truesdale were arrested in B.C.
Each is facing two counts of trafficking cocaine and one count of conspiracy to traffic cocaine.
Charges of possession of the proceeds of crime are pending against two other men, who have been released until a Feb. 26, 2014 court appearance.
Comments (9)
Up 15 Down 3
Jay Biff on Nov 25, 2013 at 8:51 am
Yup same old Jesse, and same group that messed up dust ball, now his team wins dust ball, wow full circle now.
Up 10 Down 1
Dr Funk Funkenstein on Nov 22, 2013 at 9:56 am
The public demand for drugs is so great that people will risk days to months in jail for the massive profit. If only keeping them (drugs) illegal worked... maybe keep at it for another 100 years?
Up 39 Down 1
Yukon Joe on Nov 22, 2013 at 4:25 am
Yep they failed badly with both of the guys they let out on bail in 2009. If you ask me the real failure is the fact that the Whitehorse community has knowingly accepted Mr. Ritchie as one of their own. It's been a well-known fact of what this guy has done for a living ever since he stepped foot in the Yukon
Up 5 Down 22
woodcutter on Nov 21, 2013 at 9:06 am
the math don't add up, in 2009 Jessie was 33, in this article Jesse is 34.
idiots, always think they are so smart, but they are always the whipping boy for someone higher up
Up 23 Down 3
Nathan king on Nov 21, 2013 at 8:44 am
Yes it is the same Jesse Ritchie the paper made a error a few years ago as he is 34.
Up 12 Down 2
cj on Nov 21, 2013 at 5:27 am
Can't be the same Jesse Ritchie, unless he was born on a leapyear, cause in 2009 it says he was 33, 2013 he is 34?
Up 31 Down 2
HJJK on Nov 21, 2013 at 3:47 am
Would this be the same Jesse Ritchie who was charged the last time there was a MAJOR drug bust in the Yukon? Project Macer I believe...
Up 30 Down 2
Wolfe on Nov 20, 2013 at 10:03 am
Is this the same Jesse Ritchie that is in this 2009 bust?
http://whitehorsestar.com/archive/story/two-of-five-accused-men-receive-bail/
Seems to me the system failed!
Up 22 Down 38
June Jackson on Nov 20, 2013 at 8:47 am
Traffic'ers...Too bad our laws are so lax, as they will be right back at it within weeks, if not days, of their trial.
That aside, why do we have such an eager consumer base? This stuff is not cheap, where are they getting the money? I personally know a person that SA is paying her VISA and AMEX payments, is SA paying for street drugs? Who's buying this stuff? Why do they want it?
Honestly..if there are any junkies reading this, please write in and tell me why you want this? I truly do not understand.