From RCMP:
A proactive traffic stop in Springhill lead to the seizure of methamphetamine, unstamped tobacco, and a wallet containing a police badge and identification that had previously been reported missing.
On March 4, a police officer on patrol observed a vehicle in Springhill displaying different front and back out-of-province licence plates. An officer with Nova Scotia RCMP Northwest Traffic Services subsequently conducted a traffic stop with the truck on Lisgar St. and observed unstamped tobacco in plain view on the dash of the vehicle.
Officers from Cumberland County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit (SCEU) assist with a search of the vehicle, a black Ford F150. During the search, officers located more packaged, unstamped tobacco, and a duffle bag that contained a quantity of crystal methamphetamine, other items that support drug trafficking, and a wallet containing an RCMP badge and other identification.
Checks showed that the badge had been previously reported missing in New Brunswick.
The three occupants of the vehicle were safely arrested.
Cody Cottenden, 35, of Amherst, Vincent Mallory, 40, of Amherst, and Samuel Moase, 29, of Amherst, are each charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime. They are also charged with Possession of Police Articles under the Nova Scotia Police Identity Management Act.
Cottenden, Mallory, and Moase had a first court appearance on March 5 at Amherst Provincial Court. Mallory was released on conditions pending a future court appearance, while Cottenden and Moase were held in custody to appear on March 9.
The investigation is ongoing and is being led by the Cumberland County Integrated SCEU.
Under the Nova Scotia Police Identity Management Act, it is an offence to possess police uniforms or articles, including badges and other identification, for anyone who is not a police officer. At this time, investigators do not believe that the badge and identification documents were used in personation attempts. However, anyone with concerns about the identity of a police officer can contact their local detachment or police service to determine if there is a police officer at their location. Call 911 in an emergency.
More information about officer identification in Nova Scotia is available here (https://rcmp.ca/en/nova-scotia/officer-identification-nova-scotia)
Note: The Cumberland County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit includes members of the Cumberland County District RCMP and the Amherst Police Department.
