Community Safety Alert: Yellowknife RCMP Arrest Wanted Parolee and Seize Suspected Crack Cocaine

Overview of the Incident

On the evening of March 10, 2026, Yellowknife RCMP arrested a 22-year-old man who was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant and subsequently seized suspected drugs and cash. The arrest occurred in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, after police received a tip from a member of the public about the suspect’s whereabouts.

Officers located the taxi that the wanted individual had reportedly entered and conducted a traffic stop. The suspect, identified as Gaige Forrest, was taken into custody without incident. During the arrest, police seized a quantity of suspected crack cocaine, prescription medications, and cash believed to be linked to criminal activity.

Official RCMP Details

According to the official information released by the RCMP – Northwest Territories, the sequence of events and key facts are as follows:

• On the evening of March 10, 2026, Yellowknife RCMP received information from a member of the public that a person known to police and subject to a Canada-wide warrant had been seen entering a taxi in Yellowknife.
• Officers located the taxi and conducted a traffic stop.
• The suspect was arrested at the scene without incident.

Items Seized

• Approximately 24 grams of suspected crack cocaine
• An unspecified quantity of prescription drugs
• Approximately $820 in cash

Suspect Information

• Name: Gaige Forrest
• Age: 22 years old
• Status at time of arrest: Subject to a Canada-wide warrant for a parole violation
• Background: The warrant related to a parole breach following release from custody on offences tied to several violent, firearms-related crimes.

Charges Laid

The following charges have been laid against Gaige Forrest:

• Being unlawfully at large, contrary to section 145(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
• Possession of property obtained by crime, contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code

Following his arrest, Forrest was held for a bail hearing and has since been remanded into custody.

CrimeCanada.ca Community Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this incident highlights how coordinated community vigilance and police response can remove potentially dangerous elements from the streets of Yellowknife and the broader Northwest Territories. A single tip from a concerned resident led to the arrest of a wanted parole violator with a history tied to firearms-related violence, and to the seizure of suspected crack cocaine and other drugs that could have contributed to further harm in the community.

Illicit drugs, especially substances such as crack cocaine, are frequently linked with violence, property crime, and increased risk to vulnerable community members. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity—such as apparent drug trafficking, unusual short-term visits to residences, or individuals appearing to conduct hand-to-hand exchanges in public places—to local RCMP or anonymously through Crime Stoppers where available. While the suspect in this case is already in custody, continued community awareness and timely reporting are crucial tools to reduce drug-related harm and keep neighbourhoods across the Northwest Territories safer.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the northwest-territories community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.