On March 26, 2023, at approximately 5:30 pm, an officer with the Thompson RCMP conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle, located on Mystery Lake Drive, in Thompson.

The officer approached the vehicle, with four occupants, and observed several large bags filled with liquor in plain view.

In speaking with the male driver, he advised that they were returning to Cross Lake, where the possession and sale of liquor is prohibited, to attend a wedding.

The driver (25), along with the three passengers, two males (21, 20) and a female (17), all from Cross Lake, were arrested for offences under the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act (LGCCA).

A further search of the vehicle led to the seizure of an additional quantity of liquor.

The 25-year-old male driver was subsequently charged with the Unauthorized sale of liquor and Delivering liquor to a place where liquor may not lawfully be kept or possessed under the LGCCA. Each charge carries a fine of $2542.00.

The estimated street value of the liquor seized, for resale in the Community of Cross Lake, is in excess of $3600.00.

The Manitoba RCMP is committed to working with First Nation communities that have enacted by-laws to prohibit the sale and possession of alcohol and have asked to make enforcement a priority.  These enforcement actions will continue as per the expressed wishes of community leadership.

Photo attached.