RCMP release:

Pictou County District RCMP has charged a woman and a man with drug trafficking after seizing cocaine, methamphetamine and presumed fentanyl.

On December 15, at approximately 12:10 a.m., an officer was on patrol in Kings Head when they observed a Jeep Cherokee stopped in a driving lane on Little Harbour Rd. The officer initiated a traffic stop, but the vehicle then accelerated away. The officer deactivated their emergency equipment and did not pursue the vehicle in the interest of public safety. Minutes later, the officer observed the Cherokee in the ditch on Little Harbour Rd.

A woman and a man were arrested at the scene for fleeing the earlier traffic stop.

As part of the investigation, officers with the Pictou County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit (PCISCEU) searched the vehicle and located and seized a quantity of cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, prescription pills, presumed fentanyl and fentanyl test strips.

Officers conducted a field test on the presumed fentanyl, which returned positive results. Samples of the seized drugs have been sent to Health Canada for testing.

Alicia Marie Hartling, 40, and Geordie William Whyte, 39, of Woodburn, have each been charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (three counts), Flight from Peace Officer, and Failure to Comply with a Probation Order. Whyte is also charged with Failure to Comply with a Release Order.  They were remanded into custody and are scheduled to appear in Pictou Provincial Court on January 19.

The investigation is ongoing.

Note: The PCISCEU is made up of police officers from Pictou County District RCMP, Westville Police Service and Stellarton Police Service.