Eleven people arrested in Operation Grand Slam
Press Release
August 11, 2017
Hay River, Northwest Territories
Between August 4 and August 7, 2017, the Hay River RCMP and the “G” Division Federal Investigations Unit Northwest Territories RCMP conducted a drug enforcement operation in the Town of Hay River. The Project concluded with five residential search warrants being executed. A total of 11 people were arrested, and a warrant for arrest will be sought for one other individual. Cocaine, Morphine, GHB, Codeine, cash and a prohibited weapon (butterfly knife) were seized.
The following people have been charged:
- Matthew Poitras (Age 35) Hay River – 2 Counts Trafficking Cocaine, 1 Count Fail to comply Probation
- Starr Martel (F) (Age 24) Hay River – 1 Count Trafficking Cocaine, 1 Count Possession Marijuana
- Clayton Waniandy (Age 30) High Level – 3 Counts Trafficking Cocaine
- Cory Beaulieu (age 20) – Hay River 1 Count Possession of cocaine for purpose of Trafficking, 1 Count Possession of GHB for Purpose of Trafficking, 1 Count Possession of Codeine for the Purpose of Trafficking, 1 Count Possession of Marijuana, 1 Count Proceeds of Crime, 1 Count Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
- Isaiah Durham (age 19) High Level – 2 Counts Trafficking Cocaine, 1 Count Possession of Proceeds of Crime
- Luke Dagneault (age 20) Hay River – 2 Counts Trafficking Cocaine
- Fred Lafferty (age 42) Hay River – 2 Counts Trafficking Cocaine, 1 Count possession of cocaine for purpose of trafficking, 1 Count Proceeds of Crime
- Lyndon Antoine (age 25) Hay River – 2 Counts Trafficking Cocaine
- Bradley McAruthur (age 37) – 1 Count Trafficking Cocaine
Matthew Poitras and Clayton Waniandy remain in custody. The remaining accused persons have been released before a Justice of the Peace.
A male and female adult were released via Promise to Appear with pending charges of possession of cocaine and possession of morphine. The charges have not yet been sworn.
“Executing the Search Warrants allowed the RCMP to seize small quantities of the drugs listed, including cocaine, and cash, that support the other facets of this investigation. The focus on this operation was the interruption of an illegal drug trafficking network operating in the community of Hay River. We are pleased that we were able to interrupt this illegal drug network in Hay River, however, we are disheartened to see the number of individuals that are involved in this type of harmful activity,’ states Sgt Dean Riou, Federal Investigative Unit, Northwest Territories RCMP.
If you observe suspicious activity or suspect illegal drug activity, please contact Hay River RCMP at 867-874-1111 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, www.nwtnutips.com, (click on “submit a web tip”) or text: nwtnutips to 274637.
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Contact information
Sgt. Dean Riou
“G” Division RCMP – Federal Investigations Unit
RCMP.NTMedia-NTMedias.GRC@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
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