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RCMP charge 9 people with drug trafficking following Yellowknife busts

A string of busts Thursday night in Yellowknife has resulted in nine people charged with drug trafficking and the seizure of illegal drugs, vehicles, firearms and cash.

Arrests connected to Project Green Manalishi, which led to 11 being charged last week

  • UPDATE | Charges against Sherri Brown were stayed in September 2016. Charges against Michael Lapierre were also withdrawn. Dolapo Bode-Harrison pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in prison in November 2017.

A string of busts Thursday night in Yellowknife has resulted in nine people charged with drug trafficking and the seizure of illegal drugs, vehicles, firearms, and cash.

In a news release, RCMP say search warrants were executed at five separate locations in the city. More than 30 officers were involved in the operation.

The warrants were executed as part of Project Green Manalishiwhich last week resulted in 11 arrests and one of the largest seizures of illicit drugs, guns, cash and merchandise in the territory in a decade. 

Through executing the warrants Thursday, RCMP located and seized quantities of fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine, psilocybin (the compound in magic mushrooms), marijuana, and anabolic steroids. Cash, four firearms, and three "prohibited weapons" were also seized.

Seven people from the Northwest Territories and two people from Alberta are facing charges:

  • Norman Hache, 35, of Yellowknife, charged with conspiracy to traffic and possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and fentanyl; conspiracy to traffic and possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine; trafficking cocaine; possession of cocaine; counselling the offence of assault
  • Michael Lapierre, 38, of Yellowknife, charged with conspiracy to traffic and possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and fentanyl; possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine; possession of property obtained by crime not exceeding $5,000; possession of property obtained by crime not exceeding $5,000; possession of methamphetamine; possession of cocaine
  • Bonita Bohnet, 37, of Yellowknife, charged with conspiracy to traffic and possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and fentanyl; trafficking fentanyl; possession for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl; possession of cocaine; possession of psilocybin
  • Lindsey Rocher, 29, of Yellowknife, charged with conspiracy to traffic and possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and fentanyl; production of cannabis marihuana resin and cannabis marihuana vapour; possession of cocaine; possession of fentanyl; possession of property obtained by crime exceeding $5,000; possession of a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public; careless storage of a firearm; possession of prohibited devices without being the holder of a licence
  • Devon Herback, 34, of Grande Prairie, Alta., charged with conspiracy to traffic and possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and fentanyl; conspiracy to traffic and possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine; trafficking cocaine
  • Lacey Forrest, 32, of Fort Resolution, N.W.T., charged with conspiracy to traffic and possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and fentanyl; conspiracy to traffic and possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine; trafficking cocaine; possession of property obtained by crime exceeding $5,000
  • Sherri Brown, 40, of Yellowknife, charged with conspiracy to traffic and possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and fentanyl
  • Dolapo Bode-Harrison, 34, of Calgary, charged with conspiracy to traffic and possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and fentanyl; conspiracy to traffic and possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine
  • Hao "Tony" Xie, 48, of Yellowknife, charged with conspiracy to traffic and possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and fentanyl

​Police say five people have been remanded into custody to appear in court on Tuesday in Yellowknife. Arrest warrants have been issued for Devon Herback, Dola-Bode Harrison, and Lacey Forrest.