Modern-day bootlegging continues to be a problem in Saskatchewan.
Deschambault Lake RCMP recently charged two people in separate incidents for bootlegging.
“It’s definitely a problem in northern Saskatchewan,” said Cpl. Rob King, RCMP media spokesperson in Regina during an interview May 7.
There are 18 dry First Nations in Saskatchewan, said King. Of those, 15 are in northern Saskatchewan, two are in the central area and one is in the south. Bootleggers bring alcohol into the communities, which don’t have any liquor stores. They sell the alcohol at a considerable price mark up.
“The price varies from community to community, it’s market driven, supply and demand,” said King, adding that if there is a higher demand and the alcohol is more difficult to get, then the price goes up.
On April 29, 2020, two people were charged in Deschambault Lake, after police got a tip that a suspected local bootlegger was in the community. Police conducted a traffic stop and open alcohol was found in the vehicle. A further search revealed more bottles of alcohol that were hidden.
A few hours later, police got another tip that there was another bootlegger in town. Police did a traffic stop and the driver of the vehicle was under conditions not to possess any alcohol but was allegedly transporting several bottles of distilled beer and alcohol.
Police see an increase in alcohol-related calls such as assaults and intoxication in a public place when alcohol gets into a dry community.
Police say they can’t release the names of the individuals ticketed for bootlegging because the charges fall under the Saskatchewan Alcohol and Gaming Act rather than the Criminal Code.
Opioid abuse is also a problem but King says it’s a problem in all communities, not just First Nations communities.
“I can’t say if it’s more of a problem or not. It depends on the community. If the booze dries up they turn to other drugs if they are an addict.”
Deschambault Lake is part of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and is about 340 kilometres northeast of Prince Albert.
