Yukon RCMP Whitehorse Detachment and the Crime Reduction Unit continue enforcement of firearm and drug offences

August 4, 2022
Whitehorse, Yukon

News release

An early morning traffic stop on July 29, 2022, by Whitehorse RCMP led to the seizure of drugs and firearms (one being a loaded prohibited handgun) and the execution of a search warrant later in the day.

While on a proactive patrol on the Alaska Highway at approximately 4:30 am, a general duty officer conducted a traffic stop for several alleged driving offences. This stop led to the arrest of the driver, at which time the police officer located a loaded handgun held by the driver. Upon search of the vehicle, officers located another handgun.

Darin Mohinder Harnam Sanddar (age 41) was arrested and charged with the following offences:

  • Possession of a restricted/prohibited weapon without a licence;
  • Carrying a concealed weapon;
  • Possession of a firearm/weapon/device/ammunition in a motor vehicle;
  • Possession of a weapon obtained by crime;
  • Possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine;
  • Possession of property obtained by crime.

Mr. Sanddar was later released on conditions to appear in Court on August 10, 2022.

Based on the significant public safety risk presented by the firearms and drugs seized at this traffic stop, the Yukon RCMP Crime Reduction Unit became involved in the investigation. After reviewing the information and evidence collected, Crime Reduction Unit was granted a search warrant for a Whitehorse residence. It was executed in the evening of July 29, 2022, with the assistance of Emergency Response Team police officers from the Yukon, British Columbia, and Northwest Territories, Whitehorse Detachment General Investigation Section, and the Federal Investigation Unit.

In the execution of this search warrant, the following items were seized:

  • Approximately $1700 Canadian currency;
  • Large amounts of suspected cocaine;
  • Small quantity of suspected heroin;
  • Suspected prohibited rifle magazine;
  • Various ammunition;
  • Other evidence of drug trafficking activities.

Mr. Sanddar was arrested again upon execution of the search warrant and further charges are pending.

An additional male was also arrested upon execution of the search warrant and charges are pending.

"There is a significant risk to the public and police when people are unlawfully in possession of firearms," says Superintendent Daktari Chan (Dak) Dara, Criminal Operations officer for Yukon RCMP. "All of us at Yukon RCMP continue our efforts to reduce criminal activity in the Territory and support a safer Yukon through investigations such as this and other recently reported firearms investigations."

Link to news release from July 21, 2022: Firearm seized during arrest in Whitehorse

Link to news release from July 11, 2022: Edmonton men face drug and weapons charges in Whitehorse

Link to speech transcript from June 8, 2022: Yukon RCMP Crime Reduction Unit arrest

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Contact information

Yukon RCMP - Media Relations
mdiv.communications@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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