Drugs, cash, weapons seized as RCMP arrest 7 in major Yellowknife drug bust

• UPDATE | Farhan Hussein pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. Mamadou Gueye pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possessing a prohibited weapon.

An investigation launched in mid-August has led to the arrest of seven people, three of whom were already facing serious charges in other jurisdictions, according to Yellowknife RCMP.

Police executed four search warrants in the city on Friday. They seized four firearms, about 300 grams of crack cocaine and more than $50,000 in cash.

• READ LATEST HERE |Montreal man sentenced to 3 years for trafficking cocaine in Yellowknife

The operation targeted a group of people who had recently set up a drug network in the city.

This group is part of a larger network operating throughout Canada, and it is concerning that they were attempting to establish a foothold in Yellowknife.- RCMPSgt. DeanRiou

"Five of the seven people charged recently moved to the N.W.T. to sell drugs, and three of those people were already facing serious charges in other jurisdictions," said Sgt. Dean Riou of the "G" Division Federal Investigations Unit.

"Another one of the seven was on parole as a result of a previous drug trafficking conviction. This group is part of a larger network operating throughout Canada, and it is concerning that they were attempting to establish a foothold in Yellowknife."

Those charged include:

• Mamadou Gueye, 29, of Montreal, who's facing charges of possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possessing the proceeds of crime, three counts of personation (the legal term for impersonation), five counts of breaches of recognizance as well as firearms charges.
• Moussa Kaba, 29, of Cranbrook, B.C., who's charged with possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime.
• Farhan Hussein, 27, of Regina, who's charged with possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of the proceeds of crime and three counts of breach of recognizance.
• Jean Kelly Lavaud, 28, of Montreal, who's charged with possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of the proceeds of crime and three counts of breach of recognizance.
• Chantel Mingilgak, 27, of Yellowknife, who's charged with possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of the proceeds of crime and three counts of breach of recognizance and several firearms charges.
• Liban Mohamood Mohammed, 26, who's charged with possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of the proceeds of crime, personation with intent. He was on federal parole at the time of his arrest. A Canada-wide arrest warrant had been issued revoking that parole.
• Gary Gattie, 50, of Yellowknife, who's charged with possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime.