Two people have been arrested and charged after Hay River seized a collection of stolen firearms and cash believed to be connected to illegal activity.

On July 19, police were notified of suspicious activity near a travel trailer unlawfully parked on town property. The occupants of the trailer had reportedly been attempting to keep people away from the surrounding area. 

Officers visited the scene to investigate, and after observing the presence of firearms, arrested two people: Rukundo Fota, 22, of Alberta, and Brian Swallow, 36, of Hay River. 

After securing the area and obtaining a warrant, officers discovered more than $17,000 in cash suspected to be proceeds of crime, four stolen firearms, and other weapons. 

As a result, both Fota and Swallow have been charged with mischief under $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a weapon obtained by crime, unsafe storage of firearms and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Fota was held to appear before a justice of the peace and and was later released with an order to appear in court on Aug. 26.

Swallow was released on an undertaking to appear in court on Sept. 26.