Gingolx, B.C. – Nass Valley RCMP say they’re continuing to tackle bootlegging in Nisga’a villages.

 

Police recently searched a home in Gingolx which was rumoured to be a source of illegal alcohol sales in the tiny community. Sergeant Donovan Tait says the raid yielded two sealed cases of vodka, 40 cans of coolers along with score sheets, liquor store receipts totalling $1200 for the month of August, and a small calibre rifle. ( items seized shown in photo at right, photo courtesy RCMP) 

 

RCMP allege the male resident of the home has been re-selling liquor at twice the price and that the activity has been going on for some time.

 

RCMP are pursuing charges of Unlawful Sale of Liquor.

 

News of the bust comes just over a week after Tait, the Detachment Commander of the Lisims/Nass Valley, addressed the Terrace Chamber of Commerce about the problem of illegal liquor sales in Nisga’a villages. Tait told the audience that it’s no secret that the majority of alcohol consumed in the Nass is bought in Terrace and he appealed to the business community for assistance. While buying large quantities of liquor is not illegal, Tait urged shop owners to keep an eye out for suspicious activity.

 

“We have stepped up our enforcement efforts in these areas and have had success -we do need the public’s assistance both in the Nass Valley and Terrace to keep this momentum going -we are asking for the cooperation of the business community to share their observations with us and report anything suspicious as far as large quantities of liquor sales possibly headed to the Nass. The costs of doing nothing are far too high.”

 

Tait says demand for alcohol in the Nass is there and bootlegging is big business. A case of beer typically sells for approximately $50 while a 26 oz bottle of alcohol can fetch $70-$80. He says frontline officers often confront the fallout from the illegal booze trade including disturbances, assaults, family violence, health issues, and child welfare concerns.