RCMP release:

Shelburne RCMP has charged a man and seized nine firearms during warrant executions in Woods Harbour and Yarmouth.

On September 13, the Shelburne RCMP Street Crimes Enforcement Unit (SCEU), with assistance from the Nova Scotia RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT), executed warrants at two residences.

At a residence on Hwy. 3 in Woods Harbour, officers seized eight firearms, ammunition, a crossbow, suspected psilocybin (magic mushrooms), and items that support allegations of trafficking in controlled substances. One of the seized firearms was an AR-style weapon with high capacity magazine.

At the same time, Shelburne RCMP SCEU and ERT safely arrested a man at a residence on Cliff St. in Yarmouth. In addition to the arrest, officers executed a second search warrant and seized another firearm and hundreds of grams of suspected cocaine.

Thomas Anthony Foster Nickerson, 37, of Woods Harbour, has been charged with thirty-five offences including:

• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (2 counts)
• Careless Use of a Firearm (8 counts)
• Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition (3 counts)
• Possession of Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized (8 counts)
• Unauthorized Possession of Firearm (8 counts)
• Unauthorized Possession of Prohibited Weapon (1 Counts)
• Possession Contrary to Prohibition Order (5 counts)

“Our investigation indicates the suspect was actively trafficking drugs, which can harm our communities in a variety of ways,” says Cpl. Matt Schmidt, Shelburne RCMP SCEU. “Police fielded numerous complaints, and worked with multiple jurisdictions and resources throughout the province on this investigation. The Shelburne RCMP Street Crime Enforcement Unit is working diligently, along with our partners, to take drugs off the streets and to take guns out of the hands of drug dealers.”

Nickerson was held in custody and appeared at Yarmouth Provincial Court on September 17. He was released by the courts on conditions pending future court appearances.

Nova Scotians are encouraged to contact their nearest RCMP detachment or local police to report crime, including the illegal sale of drugs, in their communities. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or using the P3 Tips app.