The RCMP made a historic seizure of cocaine last Wednesday in Dawson City, also confiscating $522,000 in cash and several firearms.

At more than 10 kilograms, it was likely the most significant cocaine bust in Yukon history.

“We believe this seizure of cocaine to be the largest cocaine seizure in the Yukon to date,” Chief Supt. Scott Sheppard, the commanding officer for the Yukon RCMP, told a news conference held Tuesday afternoon at the Whitehorse detachment.

“This is a significant seizure .... It is not the end of the supply, but it will send a significant message to the community.”

Sheppard declined to place a street value on the drugs. He did note that Dawson residents couldn’t help but notice the large congregation of officers in the town for the police operation.

“We are still in the early stages of the investigation,” he said.

As well, the exact contents of the drugs are still being analyzed.

“We still don’t know what is in there and the people selling it probably don’t know either,” Sheppard said.

Organized crime is clearly involved in this affair, he said, “engaging in violence and intimidation.”

Such a large quantity of drugs had to have originated outside the territory, he noted.

Their withdrawal from circulation and sales will have “a significant impact” on the drug trade in the Dawson area and around northern Yukon, he added.

Sheppard took media representatives on a timeline of events that led up to last Wednesday’s drama in the Klondike.

In June 2022, the Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) concluded Project Monterey. That operation saw the execution of several search warrants and charges against Tyler George Taylor and Taylor Duke, as well as several other associates.

As police reported in August 2023, with Project Monterey charges still before the courts, the Whitehorse General Investigation Section (GIS) executed a search warrant in the capital.

The warrant resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, cash and firearms.

Duke was arrested during this warrant execution and charged with more than 60 offences.

“This investigation included a culmination of several acts of violence, many involving firearms,” Sheppard said.

“The resulting charges were related to attempted murder, firearms offences, offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, proceeds of crime, and others.”

Duke remains in jail.

“Crime Reduction Unit investigators learned that Tyler Taylor, Taylor Duke and a group of associates may have continued to traffic controlled substances despite their previous arrests and subsequent charges,” Sheppard said.

Consequently, a new, “complex” investigation ensued, resulting in search warrants being executed on two residences last Wednesday in Dawson.

Multiple investigative units were on hand to assist. Led by the CRU, police officers assisted from the Whitehorse and Dawson detachments, the Major Crime Unit, the Critical Incident Program, including the Critical Incident commander, and the “M” Division Emergency Response Team, assisted by “G” Division officers.

Taylor, a 32-year-old Dawson resident, was arrested without incident.

He had been on strict conditions as a result of the Project Monterey investigation, including house arrest and being subject to GPS ankle bracelet monitoring.

A search of the two Dawson residences resulted in the seizures of:

• three handguns (one loaded), one of which was a prohibited firearm equipped with a suppressor;

• a 12 gauge pump-action shotgun;

• the 10-plus kilograms of what’s believed to be cocaine in brick form as well as several ounces of probable crack and powder cocaine packaged in various smaller quantities;

• several pounds of vacuum


• sealed cannabis;

• several cell phones;

• the several bundles of cash with the approximate total value of $522,000;

• ammunition compatible with the seized firearms; and

• assorted trafficking paraphernalia.

Taylor appeared in court by phone last Thursday, and his matters were adjourned to tomorrow afternoon.

Following his court appearance, Taylor was transported from Dawson to Whitehorse.

He has been charged with:

• participation in activities for a criminal organization;

• two counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault;

• trafficking cocaine for the benefit/in association with a criminal organization;

• conspiracy to commit aggravated assault;

• conspiracy to traffick a controlled substance (cocaine and fentanyl);

• being involved in a criminal organization and instructing a person to commit aggravated assault;

• seven counts of failing to comply with conditions of a release order;

• the possession of the proceeds of property (money) obtained by crime over $5,000;

• possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking;

• three counts of the unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon;

• possession of a loaded prohibited firearm; and

• unauthorized possession of a firearm (non-restricted).

Duke was arrested last Thursday at the Whitehorse Correctional Centre (WCC) on the strength of an arrest warrant obtained earlier that day.

He has been charged with:

• two counts of participating in activities for a criminal organization;

• two counts of conspiring to commit aggravated assault;

• conspiracy to traffick a controlled substance (cocaine and fentanyl; and

• failing to comply with conditions of a release order.

Duke appeared in court via video last Thursday. Tomorrow, he is scheduled to appear for sentencing on charges related to Project Monterey.

“As part of the RCMP’s contribution to the government’s Substance Use Health Emergency, we will continue to focus our efforts in targeting organized crime and the illicit drug trade,” Sheppard told reporters.

“A key pillar of any harm reduction strategy is enforcement, and the RCMP hears repeatedly from all corners of our Yukon communities, the devastating impact these drugs are having.

“This impact is even more pronounced within certain sectors of an already vulnerable population.”

Sheppard was asked if he believes the WCC is the site of a drug-selling ring.

He said there is “nothing that I am aware of at this time.”

A report released several years ago said 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.

“It hasn’t changed, but hasn’t necessarily improved,” Sheppard said Tuesday. “It is a far-reaching problem.”