Yukon's RCMP records historic seizure of cocaine in Dawson City

Thursday, 14 March 2024 04:30

Drugs displayed at Yukon RCMP headquarters in Whitehorse during a media availability (Photo submitted by RCMP)

This seizure of cocaine is the largest cocaine seizure in the Yukon to date.

In Dawson City last Wednesday, the Yukon RCMP recorded the largest cocaine seizure ever recorded in the history of Yukon.

The historic seizure of cocaine in Dawson City, is the culmination of search warrants executed on two residences in Dawson on March 6.
Bundles of cash with an approximate total value of $522,000, more than 10 kilograms of what police suspect is cocaine in brick form, several ounces of suspected crack, powdered cocaine packaged in small quantities, several firearms and several pounds of cannabis were sized in the operation.

The commanding officer for the Yukon RCMP, Chief Superintendent Scott Sheppard said they believe this seizure of cocaine is the largest cocaine seizure in the Yukon to date. While this is not the end of the supply, this is a significant seizure, and will send a significant message to the community, he said.

Tyler George Taylor with history of previous police investigations was apprehended during the operation. He now faces fresh charges.
Taylor was arrested without incident. According to Yukon RCMP’s Chief Superintendent Scott Sheppard, he was under strict conditions: house arrest and GPS ankle bracelet monitoring at the time of his arrest due to a previous investigation.

According to the police briefing at a press conference in Whitehorse on March 12, Taylor faces nearly two dozen new charges because of the Yukon RCMP’s March 6 operation in Dawson, led by the crime reduction unit. Among the charges he faces are participation in activities for a criminal organization, failure to comply with bail conditions, cocaine trafficking, involvement in a criminal organization, possession of a loaded, prohibited firearm and other weapons and drugs charges.

During this investigation, evidence was also obtained to support additional charges against Taylor Duke. On March 7, 2024, Taylor Duke was arrested at the Whitehorse Correctional Centre on the strength of an arrest warrant, which was obtained earlier that day, Sheppard said at the press conference.

Duke faces charges including participating in activities for a criminal organization and conspiracy to traffic cocaine and fentanyl.
Sheppard said, as part of the RCMP’s contribution to the government’s Substance Use Health Emergency, the Police will continue to focus its efforts in targeting organized crime and the illicit drug trade.

Both Taylor and Duke were among eight individuals arrested in 2022 as a part of Project Monterey, a Yukon RCMP investigation. This six-month-long project involved raids at two Whitehorse residences and the seizure of thousands of dollars’ worth of drugs, as well as cash and illegal weapons.

Duke was arrested again in August last year during a police operation on Takhini Hot Springs Road. According to Sheppard, he was charged with more than 60 offences following last summer’s raid, including an attempted murder charge.

On March 14, Duke is scheduled to be sentenced on charges related to Project Monterey, Sheppard said.
According to Sheppard, there is a possibility Taylor and Duke are connected to criminal organizations outside the Yukon.

According to a report released several years ago, a number of organized crime rings have members operating in the territory involved in such activities as maintaining the drug supply chain and laundering money.

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