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At large suspect nabbed in Project Green Manalishi turns self in

A Toronto man charged with drug offences in Yellowknife more than two years ago as part of a large-scale RCMP investigation is in custody after turning himself in to authorities.

Luqman Hussein was charged in April 2016 following Project Green Manalishi, a sweeping police probe into drug trafficking in the territory and its capital that targeted two sophisticated networks based in Yellowknife.

An arrest warrant was issued for Hussein after he was charged, but authorities were unable to locate the accused.

That warrant remained outstanding for “quite some time,” until Hussein turned himself in to RCMP six to eight weeks ago, according to Crown prosecutor Duane Praught.

With the conviction and sentencing of a 52-year-old woman earlier this month,  Hussein is now the last remaining suspect nabbed in Project Green Manalishi to be prosecuted.

More than two dozen suspects were arrested as part of the investigation in 2016.

Hussein faces one count of conspiring to traffic cocaine and one count of trafficking cocaine.

He made a brief appearance via video in NWT territorial court on Tuesday.

His lawyer requested an adjournment to complete a review of disclosed information related to the allegations against Hussein.

The accused will be back in court on March 19.

Hussein will then be given the opportunity to elect whether or not he wants to be proceed in territorial court or in Supreme Court, and whether he wants a jury trial or a judge alone trial. The accused can also opt for a preliminary inquiry.