The Saskatchewan Nation of Northern Canada suffers from the problem of contraband alcohol wreaking havoc on this First Nation
Four people were recently arrested in an attempt to smuggle alcohol. These individuals were carrying large quantities of bottles and cans. According to Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), these individuals intended to resell this alcohol on the territory of the Saskatchewan Nation. According to the RCMP, the men took a boat at Barge Landing. They were then checked after mooring their boat at Hatchet Lake in Denesuline First Nation territory about 700 km north of Saskatoon.
A seizure that saddens the local authorities
RCMP said they discovered 58 bottles of hard liquor and various other types of liquor containers and cans. The four adults are being prosecuted on various counts related to alcohol smuggling. The news was announced by RCMP spokesperson Mandy Maier. According to her ; “The quantity of alcohol discovered and seized was significant (…) whenever we can remove this source of risk from the community where alcohol is sold, it is part of our objectives. “
Hatchet Lake on the territory of the Denesuline First Nation is a “dry” community. This means that alcohol is prohibited. This is a local law that has been around for decades according to the local chief. Saskatchewan Nation Chief Bart Tsannie was called by the RCMP at the time of the seizure; “When I arrived at the scene of the alcohol seizure it was very, very hard for me to see the quantities seized from these people.”
La nation Saskatchewan s’organise
It is important to note that according to Chief Tsannie there have been eight deaths from alcohol in the community in a year. According to Tsannie; “It’s very sad for me because as a chef we are trying to prevent alcohol from being brought onto the reserve. But there are people who are constantly trying to bring alcohol into First Nations territory. “
There is currently no road that can be used in all weather to reach the community of Tsannie. This means that traffickers bringing in alcohol during the summer months do so by plane or by boat. According to the chef; “We don’t know when these people are coming. The RCMP must be lucky. They have to be there at the right time to catch those arriving by boat. Many manage to sneak in and it is difficult to stop them. Tsannie said he plans to hold a meeting with regional and local RCMP officials to develop a strategy.
–
