Halifax Regional Police have charged 13 people following a five-month undercover operation targeting drug trafficking in the downtown bar scene.

In a release sent on Friday, police say they launched the investigation in May after responding to several calls of bar patrons having adverse reactions to MDMA.

“The goal of the operation was twofold – to suppress the sale of controlled substances in bars in the downtown core and protect the public,” said Staff Sgt. Darrell Gaudet, officer in charge of the drug unit, in a release.

As a result of the investigation, police executed three search warrants at three separate residences. They seized quantities of cocaine, MDMA, marijuana and psilocybin, cash and drug paraphernalia.

Police say three of the 13 charged were employees in downtown establishments where it’s alleged they were trafficking.

“Our downtown is very vibrant and we pride ourselves on working hard to ensure it’s safe for everyone to enjoy,” said Gaudet. “That’s why we launched an operation to address the trafficking of illicit drugs in the downtown bar scene, as such activity can cause serious adverse reactions, including death.”

The 13 people have been charged with a combined 30 offences, including trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of illicit substances.

  • Jonathan George Laing, 26, Halifax – five counts of trafficking in cocaine, one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking in cocaine and one count of possession of the purpose of trafficking in MDMA
  • Peter George Schmid, 20, Dartmouth – four counts of trafficking in cocaine, one count of possession of cocaine and one count of possession of marijuana
  • James Dean Veniot, 32, Dartmouth – two counts of trafficking in cocaine
  • Chula Kanishkas Sahabandu, 26, Halifax – two counts of trafficking in cocaine
  • Trevor Stephen Fitt, 20, New Glasgow – two counts of trafficking in MDMA
  • Jason Andrew Saldanha, 23, Halifax – one count of trafficking in cocaine and one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking in cocaine
  • Mila Fraser, 22, Dartmouth – one count of trafficking in cocaine
  • Erfan Keyghodabi, 22, Halifax – one count of trafficking in cocaine
  • Bryson Murphy, 21, Halifax – one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking in cocaine and one count of possession of psilocybin
  • Mustafa Shahwan, 24, Halifax – one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking in cocaine
  • Stephane Harm Goosens, 23, Halifax – one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking in cocaine
  • Patrick Brown, 24, Halifax – one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking in cocaine
  • Matthew Lawrence Hadfield-Power, 19, Dartmouth – one count of possession of cocaine and one count of possession of marijuana