Inuvik man with history of drug trafficking charges arrested, again

Police arrested an Inuvik, N.W.T., manwith a long history of drug and bootlegging charges after searching his homefor the second time this year.

On Friday, RCMPsearched the home of 65-year-old Talal Khatib and found about500 grams of marijuana, 50 grams of crack cocaine, and 300 grams of powdered cocaine, according to a news release.

Police also found over $25,000 of cashand restricted weapons, including restricted bear spray.

Khatib, alocal landlord and former restaurateur, is now facing multiple chargesincluding drug trafficking and weapons charges, on top of several drug-related charges that are currently before the courts.

This was the second search of Khatib'shomethis year. He was arrested for drug trafficking earlier in January after police found hundreds of grams of illegal substances, including the illegalhallucinogenicplantSalvia,a psychoactive drug.

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Police said people approached the back window of Khatib's home, asking for drugs as RCMP were in the home investigating a complaint in January.

In March,CBCNews reported that according to theRCMP,Khatibwas conducting business as usual seven months after being charged and released in 2016.

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Khatib'shistory with police goes back to 2004 when he was charged with bootlegging, and in 2008 for drug trafficking. Both times, the charges were either stayed or withdrawn.

Khatibis in custody andwill appear in Yellowknife courts on Oct. 25.