News release

Hay River RCMP seize cash and arrest known-drug dealer after traffic stop

April 7, 2025 - Hay River, Northwest Territories
From: Northwest Territories RCMP

Content

A previously convicted drug dealer is back in custody after a traffic stop conducted by Hay River RCMP.

On April 3rd, 2025 Hay River RCMP received information that a person known to be involved in the drug trade and on court-ordered conditions to remain outside the Northwest Territories was travelling in the area of Hay River.

Officers located a vehicle on Highway #1 and initiated a traffic stop. The suspect was located in the vehicle and arrested. $2870 in cash, believed to be the proceeds of crime, was seized.

20-year-old Abel Leule of Alberta was charged with:

• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000, contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
• Failure to comply with release order conditions, contrary to section 145(5)(a) of the Criminal code.

Leule had previously been released on bail for other matters and was subject to conditions ordering him to remain outside the Northwest Territories except for court and to remain within his residence 24 hours a day.

Leule was convicted of drug related and other offences committed in the NWT on August 9th, 2024 and sentenced to 19 months of custody. Most of this sentence had already been served while remanded.

Leule appeared before a Justice of the Peace and was remanded to appear in court at a later date.

Members of the public continue to be the best source of information police have when gathering evidence during Controlled Drug and Substances Act investigations.

Anyone with information on this or other drug-related crimes is asked to contact the Hay River RCMP at 867-874-1111 or Crime Stoppers at http://www.p3tips.com. In the event of an emergency call, 911.

Contacts

Cst. Josh Seaward
Media Relations Officer
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - G Division
RCMP.NTMedia-NTMedias.GRC@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
https://rcmp.ca/en/nwt
https://www.facebook.com/rcmpnt