Photo by Whitehorse Star
Chief Supt. Scott Sheppard
RCMP Crime Reduction Unit remains busy during pandemic
Two British Columbia men have been charged in relation to a dramatic RCMP operation in Riverdale on April 24, police said today.
Two British Columbia men have been charged in relation to a dramatic RCMP operation in Riverdale on April 24, police said today.
Paul Fraser, 31, and Desmond Fisher, 20, have been arrested and charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
The major RCMP operation on April 24 was related to a stabbing that had taken place April 22 at a residence on Blanchard Road.
Police had learned of a man suffering a serious stab wound. The Emergency Response Team was called to assist in executing a search warrant at the home, where the suspect in the stabbing was arrested without incident.
Due to the seriousness of the situation, police entered the home abruptly, without knocking or ringing a doorbell, and tear gas had to be employed.
Police found drugs, cash and trafficking paraphernalia upon entering.
After obtaining a second search warrant, officers seized, among other items, drug trafficking paraphernalia, bundles of cash and an amount of suspected cocaine.
Garron Kuster, 23, of Whitehorse, and Lorne Ryan-Mackinnon, 22, from British Columbia, were arrested and charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
Ryan-Mackinnon was also charged with aggravated assault in relation to the stabbing incident.
May has also seen more activity for the RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) team.
Last Wednesday evening, Kimberly Jo Dolan, 46, was arrested in downtown Whitehorse and charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.
After her arrest, police searched the vehicle she had and found cell phones, suspected cocaine and suspected heroin, a large sum of cash and drug paraphernalia.
Dolan has been released on an undertaking to appear in court on July 15.
Last Saturday, Paul Jeffrey Brackenbury, 61, and Julie Lynn Brackenbury, 31, were arrested in the city’s downtown area and charged with trafficking cocaine and the possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
Subsequent to the Brackenburys’ arrests, these items were seized from them: cell phones, cash and a pill bottle containing suspected cocaine.
Both Brackenburys were released on an undertaking to appear in court on July 22.
“As a result of these, and other investigations conducted by the CRU with assistance from the Federal Investigations Unit (FIU) and General Investigations Section (GIS), a significant quantity of suspected cocaine and heroin have been seized,” police said in a statement.
“Additionally, $169,000 Cdn has been seized as proceeds of crime since February of 2020.”
Despite the slowdown many legitimate businesses are experiencing, police said, the illicit drug trade continues to be active in the Yukon.
As a result, the CRU has continued their efforts to target suspects and criminal groups impacting some of the Yukon’s most vulnerable members.
Since February, the CRU has investigated several major incidents in Whitehorse, resulting in the arrests and charges of numerous suspects.
On Feb. 21, Daniel Cashaback, 21, of Whitehorse, was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine.
During a search of Cashaback’s vehicle, police seized pills believed to be Percocet (Oxycodone) and a quantity of suspected crack cocaine.
He was charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, and two counts of failing to comply with a recognizance related to outstanding trafficking charges in Saskatchewan.
On March 12, three men were arrested after the CRU seized suspected heroin, drug paraphernalia, and cash.
Michael Bland, 39, Lacey Bailey, 28, and Erin Borgford, 27, stand charged with possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Bland is also charged with failing to comply with conditions of a recognizance.
A joint investigation between the CRU and the territorial Department of Justice’s Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) Unit led to the arrest of 28-year Joshua Blythe on April 18 after several interactions consistent with drug dealing were observed by police.
He was charged with trafficking cocaine and possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
“Yukon RCMP remains committed to reducing the harm these drugs cause as well as targeting and disrupting those persons engaged in organized crime responsible for the importation and distribution of illicit drugs in Yukon,” said Chief Supt. Scott Sheppard, the commanding officer of the Yukon RCMP.
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Comments (6)
Up 1 Down 1
Anton on May 19, 2020 at 5:50 pm
Hey JC, were you awake for the "safer streets and communities" program that was brought in by Harper and was a beyond total failure? Remember.
Up 0 Down 2
Patti Eyre on May 19, 2020 at 4:22 pm
I was awake during the horrendous Harper hurricane! And I wish I hadn't been. Can't say I blame Sheer for keeping his US citizenship, ready to bail as soon as the green is greener, classic Con move.
Up 28 Down 13
Jc on May 14, 2020 at 5:23 pm
Stephen. You must have been sleeping during Stephen Harper's government. During the 9 years he was PM, the Con government legislated several great criminal laws. But - and this is where you must have been sleeping, the left wing liberal progressive court judges - yes, even the lowest of them, one being in the Yukon, threw them out as "unconstitutional". Then when JT came in, he immediately repealed those that were left. So, don't blame Stephen Harper and the Con government, they did their best as a right wing party in a left wing country. I know all this because, unlike yourself, I was awake.
Up 27 Down 12
stephen on May 14, 2020 at 1:36 pm
As usual people tend to blame the left for all this BS. If that was the case then why when the Cons were in power did they not tighten the laws around persons with multiple convictions.
In many cases where the criminal has a rap sheet longer than my arm I suggest locking them up permanently. I don't care if its drug related or property crime. They are career criminals. Get the 20% causing all the problems off the street. I don't care if you put them on an island or in a cage for the rest of their lives. They chose this so except the consequences.
I don't see one politician of any coloured stripe making that statement or pushing it.
Up 49 Down 4
Bandit on May 14, 2020 at 8:30 am
Way to go 'M' Division, now if the fricking courts would do something about all of your work it wouldn't be a waste of time. And as the article states that some were released on PTA or conditions, the real truth is that NOT ONE of the POS mentioned in the article are in custody. Check the court dockets if you wish to confirm what I am saying. It's a F&^%$#@ disgrace.
Up 40 Down 10
JC on May 13, 2020 at 5:39 pm
"Catch and release" and "Time served" while on the outside. The two greatest programs ever conceived by the left wing liberal progressives. That's progress folks.