The Nova Scotia RCMP has charged two men with firearms offences in relation to an ongoing federal investigation into organized crime and drugs in Nova Scotia.
On December 9, Nova Scotia RCMP Federal Serious Organized Crime and Emergency Response Team (ERT) attempted to stop a car on highway 102/Dunbrack St. The vehicle fled and was pursued by police for about two minutes before police forced the vehicle off the road. The driver and passenger were arrested at the scene.
While police were attempting to stop the vehicle, the occupants threw a loaded handgun out the car window. The gun was recovered and seized by police. Following the arrests, police searched the car and located a significant quantity of drugs believed to be cocaine.
This vehicle stop prompted a search of a residence on Willett St. in Halifax, where police located and seized a loaded AR-15 assault rifle with various amounts of ammunition.
As a result of the traffic stop and subsequent search, police have charged the driver and passenger of the vehicle.
In relation to the flight from police events, Cameron Mombourquette and Dawid Denisow are jointly charged with:
- Transport a Prohibited Firearm in a Careless Manner
- Possession a Prohibited Weapon for a Purpose Dangerous to the Public Peace
- Possession a Prohibited Firearm Without being the Holder of a License Under Which they May Possess
- Possession a Prohibited Weapon Without being the Holder of a License Under Which they May Possess It
- Possession a Prohibited Firearm Knowing that they were not the Holder of a License Under Which they May Possess It
- Possession a Prohibited Weapon Knowing that They were not the Holder of a License Under Which they May Possess It
- Being Occupants of a Motor Vehicle in which They knew that there was at that time a Prohibited Weapon with the Serial Number Filed Off
- Possessed a Prohibited Firearm Together with Readily Accessible Ammunition Capable of being Discharged in the Firearm and were Not the Holder of an Authorization or License under which they May Possess
- Without Lawful Excuse, were in Possession of a Prohibited Firearm knowing the Serial Number on it had been Altered, Defaced or Removed
Cameron Mombourquette was also separately charged with:
- Operating a Conveyance in a Manner that was Dangerous to the Public
- While Operating a Motor Vehicle and being Pursued by a Peace Officer, did Fail without Reasonable Excuse to Stop his Vehicle as soon as was Reasonable in the Circumstances
Denisow was charged separately for the following offences subsequent to the search of a residence and location of the AR-15:
- Two counts of Unsafe Storage of a Firearm with a Loaded Magazine in a Careless Manner
- Possession a Weapon for a Purpose Dangerous to the Public Peace
- Possession of a Firearm without Being the Holder of a License
- Possession of a Prohibited Device without Authorization
- Possess a Firearm Knowing that He was not the Holder of a License Under Which he May Possess It
- Possession of a Prohibited Device knowing that He was Not the Holder of a License under which he May Possess It
Mombourquette and Denisow have been remanded into custody and are scheduled to appear in Halifax Provincial Court on December 14 at 9:30 a.m.
The traffic stop was conducted as part of a federal operation that also included searches of 13 residences in Halifax Regional Municipality.
More charges are expected and the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information about drugs or organized crime in Nova Scotia is asked to contact RCMP. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.