As part of an ongoing investigation into the illegal sale of drugs, Halifax District RCMP conducted a second search on a marijuana storefront on Cole Harbour Road in Cole Harbour yesterday afternoon.
On August 29, at approximately 1 p.m the RCMP searched Tasty Budd’s after having received information that the storefront had resumed operations. “As we said last week, the only legal way to obtain marijuana in Canada is through Health Canada, via the mail,” says Insp. Jason Popik, Operations Officer for Halifax District RCMP. “This business was breaking the law, and we addressed that by searching it, arresting those involved, and seizing the drugs that were being sold.”
Four people were arrested during the search, including Norman Arthur Lawrence. Lawrence, 46, of Westphal is facing the following additional charges:
- Trafficking in a Controlled Substance x 3
- Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking x 3
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
Christopher Myles Keating, 32, of Dartmouth, Janet Elizabeth Benoit, 46, of Halifax and Stacey Marie Gloria MacKay, 21, of Eastern Passage, have all been charged with:
- Trafficking in a Controlled Substance x 3
- Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking x 3
RCMP seized marihuana, shatter, cannabidiol (commonly referred to as cannabis oil), and drug paraphernalia during the search. Lawrence was held in custody overnight and is appearing in Dartmouth Provincial Court today. Keating, Benoit, and MacKay were released and will appear October 11, 2017 in Dartmouth Provincial Court.
Further arrests are anticipated. The investigation is ongoing.
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Source: Media Release