Police have charged two men from Alberta following a drug seizure in Norman Wells.

On May 3, officers got a call to a rental property for a request to keep the peace. Police say they observed suspected crack-cocaine in plain view and arrested the five occupants of the property. RCMP obtained a search warrant for the unit and executed it.

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

Following the investigation, RCMP have charged Devon Salisbury, 37, and Robert Webber, 42, both of Alberta, with multiple charges, including drug trafficking, possession of crime-related property and several firearm-related offences. These charges fall under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Criminal Code.

RCMP noted that Salisbury was already subject to an order prohibiting him from possessing firearms in relation to past drug-trafficking convictions. He's also been charged with multiple counts of failing to comply with court release order conditions, weapons possession contrary to a court order and obstructing a peace officer.

Both men appeared before a justice of the peace and were held into custody, RCMP note. The other three individuals from the property 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," police stated on May 6.