Yukoners can alert authorities to bootlegging, says official

The Yukon department of Justice says there is a way for communities to deal with problems such as bootleggers.

This follows a CBC News report from last week, where residents of Ross River, Yukon, raised concerns about the illegal sale of alcohol in the community.

Ross River has been without a bar or off sales for a year, and residents are angry that some people there are bootlegging alcohol.

The territorys Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit was created to deal precisely with type of problem facing Ross River.

"There are three categories of activities that we investigate: prostitution, bootlegging and drug trafficking," said Jeff Ford, who is with the SCAN unit.

Ford said the unit has been used to shut down drug houses and bootleggers in Whitehorse.

He said the unit has received complaints from Ross River, but would not elaborate.

Some residents there told CBC News there is pressure to keep silent about bootlegging. Ford understands that people fear the repercussions of speaking out.

"If citizens come forward and make a complaint to our office, their name is kept in confidence, it's completely confidential. At no time would they be required to testify or disclose their name or give evidence," he said.

He said the unit hasreceived 450 complaints since the legislation was passed in 2006.

The unit works with communities, as well as partners like the RCMP, the Yukon Liquor Corporation, the Yukon Housing Corporation and First Nations.

Complaints can be made by telephone or online.