News release
Yukon RCMP Crime Reduction Unit arrests three and seizes significant quantity of drugs
February 2, 2026
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Whitehorse, Yukon
From: Yukon RCMP
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The Yukon RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) has arrested three individuals and seized a significant quantity of drugs following a drug trafficking investigation in Whitehorse.
In January 2026, the Yukon RCMP CRU initiated an investigation that involved drug trafficking.
This investigation led to the CRU executing a search warrant in the Porter Creek subdivision of Whitehorse on January 31, 2026, with the assistance of the RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT).
During this operation, the investigation led police to another location in the downtown area of Whitehorse where they arrested 19-year-old Riley Sutton of Surrey, British Columbia, 59-year-old Calvin Pembleton of Whitehorse, Yukon and 20-year-old Abishan Gnanabakaran of Vancouver British Columbia. The three were in a vehicle and searched incidental to arrest. Police seized approximately 40 grams of suspected cocaine, cash, cell phones, a digital scale, and a small quantity of suspected fentanyl. The vehicle was seized and searched. As a result, police seized $1,300 in Canadian currency, a cell phone, a scale, and two knives.
The investigation progressed and further evidence was gathered which resulted in the search of a storage locker in Whitehorse. A search warrant was obtained and executed which resulted in the seizure of over 900 grams of suspected cocaine, a vacuum sealer, packaging materials, a quantity of unknown substances believed to be various cutting agents.
All three men were held in custody and appeared in court on February 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. They were held and will appear in court today at 1:00 pm.
Sutton and Gnanabakaran have been charged with:
- Trafficking in cocaine
- Possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking
- Possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000
Pembleton been charged with:
- Trafficking in cocaine
- Possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking
- Possession of fentanyl
- Possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information related to drug trafficking in the community is encouraged to contact the Yukon RCMP or submit information anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.