Police have laid drug trafficking and firearms charges against 11 people following a lengthy investigation.

Members of the Guns and Gangs and Drug units of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division assisted by the RCMP Street Crime Enforcement Unit conducted a two-month long investigation that led to searches of three residences and five vehicles throughout the region. Members of the Cape Breton Regional Police Service assisted with a search of a residence and a vehicle in their region that also led to charges associated to the investigation.

Officers seized more than 400 grams of cocaine, over $15,000, a firearm and ammunition.

Roger Santreno Downey, 36, is scheduled to appear in court at a later date to face the following charges: 

•                     Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence (x3)

•                     Trafficking in controlled substance (x3)

•                     Possession for the purpose of trafficking (x4)

•                     Assault

•                     Threats

•                     Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000

•                     Laundering Proceeds of Crime

•                     Possession of property used for the purpose of trafficking

Dencel Shaquan Beals, 29, is scheduled to appear in court at a later date to face the following charges: 

•                     Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence (x2)

•                     Trafficking in controlled substance (x2)

•                     Possession for the purpose of trafficking (x3)

Tamara Leean Carter, 40, is scheduled to appear in court at a later date to face the following charges: 

•                     Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence

•                     Trafficking in controlled substance

•                     Possession for the purpose of trafficking

A 46-year-old man and 32-year-old woman are both scheduled to appear in Sydney provincial court at a later date to face the following charges

•                     Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence

•                     Trafficking in controlled substance

•                     Possession for the purpose of trafficking

Laytoya Mae Clayton, 37, is scheduled to appear in court at a later date to face the following charges: 

•              Possession of Property Obtained by Crime contrary to section 354(1) of the Criminal code; and

•              Laundering Proceeds of Crime contrary to section 462.31(1) of the Criminal Code.

Jason Downey, 54, is scheduled to appear in court at a later date to face the following charges: 

•                     Possession of restricted firearm with ammunition

•                     Careless use of firearm

•                     Unsafe storage of a firearm

Nadine Patricia Parsons, 55, Emmanual Sinclair Howe, 42, Markel Jason Downey, 27, and Megan Alyssa Duncan, 23, are all scheduled to appear in court at a later date to face one count each of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Anyone with information about illegal firearms or drugs is asked to contact police at 902-490-5020. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or via the P3 Tips App.