Town council wants an accused drug dealer kept behind bars until his trial.
photo courtesy of the RCMP
Talal Khatib, 65, was on bail for trafficking charges laid in January when RCMP raided a residence Oct. 20, seized drugs and cash, and charged him again.
As a result, council has taken the unusual step of asking authorities to oppose bail.
"We have a duty to protect our citizens," said Coun. Vince Sharpe at the committee of the whole meeting Monday, Oct. 23. "We should ask (the courts) not to release him on bail."
Mayor Jim McDonald said the man has been a problem for some time in Inuvik.
"I know that people in the community are certainly concerned and think one of their biggest concerns now is that he'll be released again on bail," said McDonald.
"That decision is up to the courts but council can certainly express their concerns and we're prepared to do that."
In a letter to the Crown prosecutor and RCMP, council argued because of the man's multiple arrests and charges, bail should be opposed.
Inuvik RCMP conducted a drug investigation for several weeks and executed a search warrant Oct. 20.
Reportedly seized was:
500 grams of suspected cannabis;
50 grams of crack cocaine;
300 grams of powdered cocaine;
More than $25,000 of Canadian currency; and
restricted bear spray.
All of the drugs will be tested to verify authenticity.
Khatib faces multiple trafficking and possession charges, breaking a court order three times, possession of less than $5,000 of stolen property, and possession of a dangerous weapon.
Khatib was remanded and made a brief court appearance in Yellowknife Oct. 25.
At that time, he elected to remain in jail until his next court date Nov. 7.
In January, Khatib was charged with two counts of possession of cocaine and marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
He elected to be tried in Supreme Court in Inuvik by judge alone June 18, 2018. Khatib was out on bail at the time of his latest charges.
– with files from John McFadden