RCMP photo of cash and other items seized.
The RCMP has busted up a drug trafficking ring and charged 14 people with approximately 100 offences after an 11-month investigation.
Mounties searched 13 locations throughout the Halifax area and seized 3.5 kilograms of cocaine along with other drugs, nearly $370,000 in cash and a variety of guns and ammo.
On December 9, the Nova Scotia RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit arrested two men during a traffic stop on Elliott St. in Halifax, after they threw a loaded handgun out the window. Police recovered and seized the gun and searched the vehicle, where they found cocaine. The driver and passenger were charged with multiple firearm-related offences and the driver, Cameron Mombourquette, was also charged with motor vehicle related offences.
The traffic stop prompted a search of a Halifax home, where police located and seized a loaded firearm with various amounts of ammunition. The passenger of the vehicle, Dawid Jakub Dennisow, was charged with additional firearms offences.
Thirteen additional locations known for drug activity throughout the HRM were also searched, leading to multiple arrests and a significant of amount drugs, money, firearms and other items being seized.
RCMPNS disrupts drug trafficking ring, seizes significant quantity of drugs and firearms https://t.co/CA4Z9eNWUC pic.twitter.com/pohvRtVG8z
— RCMP, Nova Scotia (@RCMPNS) June 16, 2021
While searching the properties, the following was seized:
- 3.5 kg of cocaine
- 110 kg of Benzocaine and other cutting agents
- 400 pills, including Heroin, steroids and combination codeine/caffeine tablets (ratio-Lenoltec)
- 10 firearms
- Conducted Energy Weapon
- $369,000 in cash
- three hydraulic cocaine presses
- bear spray
- drug paraphernalia
- 2 body armour
- 122 lbs of cannabis products
- 310 cannabis plants
The investigation also uncovered a cocaine processing house and a clandestine lab for processing cannabis. The clandestine lab had tanks of highly explosive propane and butane, so the RCMP Clandestine Laboratory Team and Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency were called to safely dismantle the lab. Police also discovered three other houses involved in drug processing. All five properties were restrained by police, as well as five vehicles that were used while committing an offence. This means that owners must maintain care of the homes and vehicles until they go to a forfeiture hearing.
“This is an example of outstanding work by our officers and partners,” says Supt. Jason Popik, Federal Criminal Operations Officer. “Together, we have disrupted a complex drug trafficking ring, prevented a significant quantity of dangerous and highly-addictive drugs from getting to our streets and we are holding criminals accountable for their harm to communities.”
The RCMP has charged the following people with approximately 100 offences. See the attached backgrounder for a complete list of charges.
- Gary Michael Boudreau, 44, of Halifax
- Jacob Thomas Cuvelier, 27, of Halifax
- Cyril Allison Delong, 27, of Kentville
- Dawid Jakub Dennisow, 25, of Halifax
- Stephen Alexander Fleming, 39, of Bedford
- Shawn Alonzo Forrestall, 41, of Pockwock
- Barry Gerrard, 64, of Pope’s Harbour
- Kailey Lynn Kane, 25, of New Glasgow
- Nicholas W. B. Macleod, 33, of Halifax
- Karam Chafic Makhoul, 29, of Williamswood
- Cameron Mombourquette, 23, of Bedford
- Bradley John Schofield, 44, of Tantallon
- Christian Alexander Strickland, 35, of Halifax
- Samer Zakhour, 34, of Hammonds Plain
