Four Canadians have been apprehended trying to cross into Alaska at Fort Yukon after having left Old Crow in northern Yukon.
Alaska State Troopers have issued a news release about the arrests, which are allegedly linked to the drug trade in the remote Yukon village.
“The Fairbanks Rural Unit received information from Ft Yukon about a boat travelling to Ft Yukon from Old Crow, Canada. The information revealed that there was an overdose in the Canadian community of Old Crow and the dealer who had sold the drugs was travelling to Ft Yukon,” Troopers said.
Detailed information on the boat and who was travelling was also provided.
“All individuals on the boat were Canadian citizens and were identified as 41 years old, 50 years old, 27 years old, and 24 years old,” Troopers reported.
The news release added, “Drug paraphernalia was discovered as well as three dead black ducks. It is also believed that one of the passengers was able to dispose of suspected narcotics in the river. The boat was seized and stored in Ft Yukon and secured until Fairbanks Rural Unit and Fairbanks Areawide Narcotics Team served the search warrant on June 1.”
The search turned up a small quantity of narcotics in a backpack in the boat, as well as two firearms and assorted ammunition.
The investigation continues with co-operation among Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Tanana Chief Conference VPSOs, Homeland Security Investigations, Fairbanks Areawide Narcotics Team (FANT), Federal Fish and Wildlife and the Fairbanks Rural Unit “on multiple different charges to include human smuggling,” Troopers said.