Norman Wells RCMP lay charges after seizing drugs, loaded pistol

May 6, 2025 - Norman Wells, Northwest Territories
From: Northwest Territories RCMP

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Two Alberta men have been charged after police in Norman Wells seized a quantity of drugs and a loaded firearm from a residence in the community.

On May 3rd, 2025, officers in Norman Wells were called to a rental property for a request to keep the peace.

Upon arriving at the residence, police observed suspected crack-cocaine in plain view and subsequently arrested the five occupants. A search warrant was obtained for the unit and executed.

During the search, police found approximately 738 grams of suspected crack-cocaine, 19 grams of suspected methamphetamine, a small quantity of prescription drugs, approximately 30 grams of illicit cannabis, 18 cartons of unstamped cigarettes, assorted drug paraphernalia and a loaded handgun with two loaded magazines, which was previously reported stolen in Alberta.

As a result of the investigation, 37-year-old Devon Salisbury and 42-year-old Robert Webber of Alberta are charged with:

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000, contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, contrary to section 88(1) of the Criminal Code
• Unsafe storage of firearms, contrary to section 86(2) of the Criminal Code
• Possession of a firearm while knowing possession is unauthorized, contrary to section 92(1) of the Criminal Code
• Possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition without a licence, contrary to section 95(1) of the Criminal Code
• Possession of break-in instruments, contrary to section 351(1) of the Criminal Code

Salisbury, who was already subject to an order prohibiting him from possessing firearms in relation to prior drug trafficking convictions and a release order including conditions to remain inside his residence in Alberta 24 hours a day, is additionally charged with:

• 2 counts of Failure to comply with release order conditions, contrary to section 145(5)(a) of the Criminal Code
• Weapons possession contrary to order, contrary to section 117.01(1) of the Criminal code
• Obstructing a peace officer, contrary to section 129(a) of the Criminal Code

Both men appeared before a Justice of the Peace and were remanded into custody. The remaining three persons were released without charge.

Salisbury and Webber were reported to have recently flown in to the community. It is not known if they brought the firearm with them or if it was acquired in the Northwest Territories.

The Norman Wells RCMP would like to thank the community for their assistance with this matter, and for their continued support as police work to address drug trafficking in the area.

Anyone with information on this or other crimes is asked to contact the Norman Wells RCMP at 867-587-1111 or Crime Stoppers at http://www.p3tips.com. In the event of an emergency call, 911.

Cst. Josh Seaward
Media Relations Officer
Northwest Territories RCMP
RCMP.NTMedia-NTMedias.GRC@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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