Eight more charged as part of Green Manalishi drug investigation

RCMPannounced Monday thateight more people have been arrested and charged as part of Project Green Manalishi, a major drug investigation in Yellowknife that earlier this yearresulted in one of the largest seizures of illicit drugs, guns, cash and merchandise in the territory in a decade.

The eight arrests bring the total number of people charged in connection with Project Green Manalishi to 28, following announcements that 11 people were charged in early April aftera string of search warrants and a traffic stop. Nine more peoplewere thencharged following a string of busts in mid-April.

• Yellowknife RCMP charge 11 after months-long drug investigation
• RCMP charge 9 people with drug trafficking following Yellowknife busts

The early April seizures turned up1,200 fentanyl pills, four kilograms of cocaine, 16 pounds of marijuana, 11 litres of liquid codeine, $75,000 in cash, and 10 guns, as well as two vehicles anda snow machine. Numerous high-end items believed to have been purchased with the proceeds of trafficking were also seized, including designer clothing and diamonds.

RCMP announced Monday that the following people have been arrested and charged:

• Adam Lee, of Edmonton, charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine;
• Ajanethen Mahalingam, of Yellowknife, charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine;
• Arnold Manuel, from Yellowknife, charged with trafficking cocaine and breach of undertaking;
• Brennan Tkachuk, of Yellowknife, charged with trafficking fentanyl;
• Dayle Hein, of Yellowknife, charged with trafficking cocaine and breach of undertaking;
• Jasmyn Vogt, 23, of Yellowknife, charged with trafficking cocaine;
• Michael Dunn, 47, of Yellowknife, charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine; and
• Serenus Bryan, of Yellowknife, charged with trafficking cocaine.

According to anRCMPnews release,Vogt pleaded guilty and was sentenced earlier this year, and charges against one of the other 27 people connected to the investigation have been stayed by the Crown, leaving charges against 26 individuals before the courts.