Yellowknife RCMP say a routine traffic stop near Tommy Forrest Ball Park on July 14 led to the seizure of firearms, ammunition and drugs and the arrest of three men now facing multiple charges.
Stop during proactive patrols
Officers report they stopped a vehicle on or near Reservoir Road as part of proactive patrols. Police say the three occupants initially gave what turned out to be false identities. After confirming who they were, and learning one passenger had an active arrest warrant in Saskatchewan, the RCMP searched the car and the suspects.
"arrested without incident."
The search turned up a loaded handgun, a tactical shotgun, several rounds of ammunition, more than 50 grams of cocaine and drug paraphernalia, according to a police news release.
Charges and custody
All three men were taken into custody and remain held pending bail hearings. The RCMP said they were arrested without incident.
- Adrian Lockhart, 47, of Calgary, Alta.
- Destin Mosquito, 28, of North Battleford, Sask.
- Tristan Pritchard, 29, of North Battleford, Sask.
Police have laid a range of charges related to firearms and compliance with release orders. The news release lists these charges but does not provide further information about the alleged origins of the weapons or the intended use of the drugs. The RCMP say their investigation is ongoing.
| Accused | Key charges reported |
|---|---|
| Adrian Lockhart, 47 | Unauthorized possession of a firearm; unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon; possession of firearm/ammunition in a motor vehicle; possession of prohibited/restricted firearm with ammunition without a licence; possession of weapons and failure to surrender to authorities |
| Destin Mosquito, 28 | Unauthorized possession of a firearm; unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon; two counts of failing to comply with release orders |
| Tristan Pritchard, 29 | Unauthorized possession of a firearm; unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon; four counts of possession of weapons and failure to surrender to authorities; two counts of failing to comply with release orders |
What this means locally
For Yellowknife residents, the incident underscores ongoing policing activity in neighbourhoods that see both local traffic and visitors or transient people passing through. The discovery of military-style weapons and a sizeable quantity of cocaine during a traffic stop will likely figure in court proceedings and in public discussion about community safety and controlled substances.
The RCMP National Division continues to handle the matter locally, and Crown prosecutors will determine charges to proceed to court as the investigation progresses. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Yellowknife RCMP.
