The RCMP Federal Intelligence Unit in Nova Scotia has arrested four people with ties to organized crime and seized 1.3 kg of cocaine, 2 kg of MDMA, approximately 4000 psilocybin capsules, packaging, drug paraphernalia and cash, as a result of Operation Highspeed, a 3-month drug trafficking investigation.

In November 2022, the RCMP Federal Intelligence Unit in Nova Scotia began an investigation related to the movement of drugs between the three Maritime provinces and Ontario.

On January 16 and 17, 2023, investigators attended four locations, and searched a vehicle, in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island which resulted in the arrest of three men and one woman and the seizure of illicit drugs and cash.

On January 16, 2023, members of the RCMP Crime Reduction Unit in Prince Edward Island safely arrested two men at a bus depot in Charlottetown. During the arrest, a package containing 300 grams of cocaine was seized.

Later on, January 16, members of the RCMP Federal Intelligence Unit in Nova Scotia safely arrested a man and a woman at a bus depot in Halifax.

On January 17, members of the RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, Intelligence Collection Team, RCMP Federal and Serious Organized Crime in Prince Edward Island, Queens District RCMP, Kings District RCMP, Kings RCMP Street Crime Unit and RCMP Police Dog Services, executed a search warrant at a home on Route 18a in Murray Harbour. During the search further evidence of drug trafficking was seized.

At the same time, members of the RCMP Federal Intelligence Unit, Federal and Serious Organized Crime and RCMP Emergency Response Team in Nova Scotia, executed search warrant at a business on Inglis St. in Halifax, an apartment on the Bedford Highway in Halifax, a home on Armenia Drive in Bedford and on a 2010 Toyota Prius. During these searches RCMP investigators located and seized 1.3 kg of cocaine, 2 kg of MDMA, approximately 4000 psilocybin capsules, $45,000 in cash, packaging and drug paraphernalia.

The three men and one woman will be facing charges as follows and have been released from custody to appear in court at later dates. The 53-year-old Murray Harbour man is expected to be charged with Trafficking a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking and Conspiracy to Commit the Indictable Offence of Trafficking a Controlled Substance.

The 41-year-old Lower Montague man is expected to be charged with Conspiracy to Commit the Indictable Offence of Trafficking a Controlled Substance.

The 28-year-old Halifax man is expected to be charged with Trafficking a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (3 counts), Conspiracy to Commit the Indictable Offence of Trafficking a Controlled Substance and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.

The 27-year-old Halifax woman is expected to be charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (2 counts), Conspiracy to Commit the Indictable Offence of Trafficking a Controlled Substance and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.

Investigators are also searching for another 28-year-old Halifax man as part of this investigation. This man is expected to be charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking and Conspiracy to Commit the Indictable Offence of Trafficking a Controlled Substance.

The investigation remains ongoing.

“This investigation clearly demonstrates the federal and provincial coordinated efforts to combat organized crime in Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada. The cooperation of our teams and investigational outcomes as a result were excellent and residents of the Maritimes are the beneficiaries of that great work“ says Supt. Jason Popik, “H” Division RCMP Federal Policing Officer.

‘’These arrests and seizures are a great example of the cooperation between the PEI RCMP Federal units across the Atlantic region. I am very proud of the work being conducted on PEI, in particular the coordination and support provided by the RCMP’s Intelligence Collection Team (a joint Federal Provincial team) and the enforcement efforts by the Kings and Queens Districts Crime Reduction Units ‘’ says Insp. Rabih Abdallah, “L” Division RCMP Federal Policing Officer.

Source: Release