As part of a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) investigation, on January 9th, 2026, the G Division Territorial Crime Reduction Unit executed two search warrants in Hay River.
The search warrants were executed at a residence on Cranberry Crescent and a local motel on Mackenzie Highway.
Additional police resources included the Northwest Territories RCMP Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services, Hay River detachment officers and the Critical Incident Program.
To provide an added measure of protection, given information that firearms were believed to be involved, the newly acquired TAV was deployed to assist during the operation. No injuries were reported during the operation.
During the first search warrant, on Mackenzie Highway, police seized approximately 1 gram of suspected crack cocaine, 0.5 gram of suspected cocaine/fentanyl, drug paraphernalia and a loaded 9 mm prohibited handgun.
As a result of this search warrant, four persons were arrested and charged.
Richard Martel, 41, of Hay River, Clarence Sabourin, 58, of Hay River, Tracey Sabourin, 35, of Hay River and Sultan Tesfu, 22, of Calgary, AB, have been charged with:
· Two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act· Possession of a firearm when knowing possession is unauthorized, contrary to section 92(1) of the Criminal Code· Unauthorized possession of a firearm, contrary to section 91(1) of the Criminal Code· Unsafe storage of firearms, contrary to section 86(2) of the Criminal Code· Possession of restricted firearm/prohibited weapon with ammo without licence, contrary to section 95(1) of the Criminal Code.
Additionally, Richard Martel is charged with:
· Possession of property obtained by crime less or equal to $5,000, contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code· Fail to comply with probation order, contrary to section 733.1(1) of the Criminal CodeSultan Tesfu is also charged with· Two counts of failure to comply with probation order, contrary to section 733.1(1) of the Criminal Code
During the second search warrant on Cranberry Crescent, police seized approximately 1 kilogram of suspected crack cocaine, approximately 250 grams of suspected cocaine/fentanyl, approximately 25,000$ in Canadian currency and a loaded 9 mm restricted handgun.
As a result of this second search warrant, Natashia Tourangeau, 49, of Hay River, and Abdinasir Mohammed, 49, of Edmonton, AB, have been charged with:
· Two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act· Possession of a firearm when knowing possession is unauthorized, contrary to section 92(1) of the Criminal Code· Unauthorized possession of a firearm, contrary to section 91(1) of the Criminal Code· Unsafe storage of firearms, contrary to section 86(2) of the Criminal Code· Possession of restricted firearm/prohibited weapon with ammo without licence, contrary to section 95(1) of the Criminal Code· Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal CodeAdditionally, Natashia Tourangeau is also charged with:· Possession of a prohibited weapon when knowing possession is unauthorized, contrary to section 92(2) of the Criminal Code
The investigation remains ongoing at this time.
All individuals have appeared before a Justice of the Peace and have been remanded into custody.
“This seizure represents a significant disruption of a crime group operating in the Hay River area. We remain strongly committed to combating drug trafficking in our communities, which causes significant harm, and we thank the public for their continued support in the fight against illicit drug trade”, says Inspector David Springer, Officer in Charge of G Division Support Services.
Anyone with information on this matter or other illegal activities is asked to contact the Hay River RCMP detachment at 867-874-1111 or Crimestoppers at https://p3tips.com
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