News release

One in custody after drug smuggling attempt

September 5, 2025 - Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
From: Northwest Territories RCMP

Content

One person has been arrested and charged after an attempt to smuggle illicit drugs into the North Slave Correctional Complex (NSCC).

On August 27th, Yellowknife RCMP received information that a person had attended the NSCC and stashed a package containing illicit drugs on the property. The package was seized by correctional officers prior to it being received by an inmate.

Yellowknife detachment’s General Investigation Section opened an investigation into the matter and subsequently identified a male suspect.

On September 5th, officers located the suspect in a vehicle in the downtown area and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle fled from police, and no pursuit was initiated in the interest of public safety.

The vehicle was located shortly after and the suspect arrested in a nearby wooded area, along with a female passenger. Approximately 106 grams of suspected crack-cocaine, several grams of suspected hydromorphone (Dilaudid) and over $1600 in cash were located on the suspect’s person.

As a result, 19-year-old Alen Vogel of Yellowknife has been charged with:

• Conspiring to commit an indictable offence (2 counts) contrary to section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code
• Attempt to commit an indictable offence (2 counts) contrary to section 463(a) of the Criminal Code
• Flight from a peace officer, contrary to section 320.17 of the Criminal Code
• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, contrary to section 320.13(1) of the Criminal Code
• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
• Resisting a peace officer, contrary to section 129(a) of the Criminal Code

Alen Vogel was on a conditional sentence order at the time of his arrest. He appeared in court and remains in custody until his next court appearance on Monday, September 8th, 2025.

The female passenger was released unconditionally.

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