One male from Pangnirtung and one male from Ottawa have been arrested and charged following an investigation into the trafficking of illegal drugs into the community.
Between August 31st, 2023 and September 5th, 2023 the RCMP conducted an investigation which included the execution of multiple search warrants and learned that a large amount of controlled substances were being shipped to Pangnirtung. On September 5th, 2023 search warrants were executed at the Canada Post Office in Pangnirtung where 465g of methamphetamine (approximately 1000 tablets), 53g of cocaine, 21g of MDMA and 480oz of liquor were seized.
The investigation continued and with the assistance of Canada Post Postal Inspectors, the RCMP members identified the believed supplier in Ottawa responsible for sending these drugs into Nunavut. A Canada wide warrant was issued for the arrest of Dustin Venton (32) of Ottawa and the RCMP obtained a search warrant for his residence. On September 8th, 2023 the Ottawa Police Service executed the search warrant and Venton was arrested. A search of his residence located 241g of cocaine, 28 hydromorphone pills, 50 methamphetamine tablets, a taser and a large sum of money.
Ken Papatsie (32) of Pangnirtung, NU has been charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, conspiracy to traffic cocaine, conspiracy to traffic MDMA, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine, possession for the purpose of trafficking MDMA, and possession of liquor for the purpose of sale. This is in addition to the charges he has received from a search warrant executed on September 1, 2023. Papatsie is remanded in custody and will appear in court on September 26, 2023.
Dustin Venton has been charged in Nunavut with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, conspiracy to traffic cocaine, conspiracy to traffic MDMA, trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking cocaine, and trafficking MDMA. Venton also faces additional charges out of Ottawa. Venton is currently remanded in custody.