N.S. RCMP arrest 14 people, seize 'significant quantity of drugs, firearms and cash' in major drug trafficking bust
Nova Scotia RCMP has arrested 14 people and seized a 'significant quantity of drugs, firearms and money,' after police say they disrupted a drug trafficking ring as the result of an 11-month investigation.
Police say on December 9, 2020, the Nova Scotia RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit arrested two men during a traffic stop on Elliott St. in Halifax, after they threw a loaded handgun out the window. Police recovered and seized the gun and searched the vehicle, where they found cocaine.
Several videos posted on social media on Dec. 9 showed police vehicles speeding under an overpass and down a street in Halifax. In one video, a sedan was chased by police off the Bicentennial Highway, over grass, between traffic, and over a sidewalk, before slamming into a power pole on Elliott Street.
Police say the traffic stop prompted a search of a Halifax home, where police located and seized a loaded firearm with various amounts of ammunition. The passenger of the vehicle, Dawid Jakub Dennisow, was charged with additional firearms offences.
According to police, 13 additional locations known for drug activity throughout the Halifax Regional Municipality were also searched on Dec. 9, leading to multiple arrests and the seizure of a significant amount drugs, money, firearms and other items.
Police say the following was seized as a result of the searches:
- 3.5 kg of cocaine
- 110 kg of Benzocaine and other cutting agents
- 400 pills, including Heroin, steroids and combination codeine/caffeine tablets (ratio-Lenoltec)
- 10 firearms
- Conducted Energy Weapon
- $369,000 in cash
- Three hydraulic cocaine presses
- Bear spray
- Drug paraphernalia
- Two body armour
- 122 lbs of cannabis products
- 310 cannabis plants
Police say the investigation also uncovered a cocaine processing house and a clandestine lab for processing cannabis. The clandestine lab had tanks of highly explosive propane and butane, so the RCMP Clandestine Laboratory Team and Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency were called to safely dismantle the lab.
RCMP says they discovered three other houses involved in drug processing. All five properties were restrained by police, as well as five vehicles that were used while committing an offence, meaning that owners must maintain care of the homes and vehicles until they go to a forfeiture hearing.
“This is an example of outstanding work by our officers and partners,” says Supt. Jason Popik, Federal Criminal Operations Officer in a news release. “Together, we have disrupted a complex drug trafficking ring, prevented a significant quantity of dangerous and highly-addictive drugs from getting to our streets and we are holding criminals accountable for their harm to communities.”
The RCMP has charged the following 14 people with approximately 100 offences.
- Gary Michael Boudreau, 44, of Halifax
- Jacob Thomas Cuvelier, 27, of Halifax
- Cyril Allison Delong, 27, of Kentville
- Dawid Jakub Dennisow, 25, of Halifax
- Stephen Alexander Fleming, 39, of Bedford
- Shawn Alonzo Forrestall, 41, of Pockwock
- Barry Gerrard, 64, of Pope’s Harbour
- Kailey Lynn Kane, 25, of New Glasgow
- Nicholas W. B. Macleod, 33, of Halifax
- Karam Chafic Makhoul, 29, of Williamswood
- Cameron Mombourquette, 23, of Bedford
- Bradley John Schofield, 44, of Tantallon
- Christian Alexander Strickland, 35, of Halifax
- Samer Zakhour, 34, of Hammonds Plains
Police say the investigation is ongoing and being led by the Nova Scotia RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit with assistance from the Nova Scotia RCMP Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services, Forensic Identification Services, Digital Forensics Services, Ontario RCMP and Halifax District RCMP.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the RCMP or Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.