Update, July 19, 2023: Phillip Bennett Sappier has since been sentenced to five years in prison, minus time already served. Upon his release, he will be prohibited from owning firearms for life, and will be ordered to submit a DNA sample.
Original news release from June 13, 2022:
A 30-year-old man from Tobique First Nation, N.B., has been charged following a drug trafficking investigation in the community.
In May, 2022, the RCMP Provincial Crime Reduction Unit (PCRU) began an investigation into drug trafficking in Tobique First Nation. On June 10, at approximately 7:30 a.m., PCRU members, with the assistance of members from the Tobique and Western Valley Region Detachments, executed a search warrant at a home on Fifth Street. During the search, police seized a loaded and unsafely stored prohibited firearm, and two other prohibited weapons. Police also seized quantities of what is believed to be cocaine, GHB, and crystal methamphetamine, as well as cash and drug trafficking paraphernalia. Police also recovered two stolen vehicles.
A 30-year-old man from the community, and a 22-year-old woman from Sheffield, were arrested at the scene.
Later the same day, Phillip Bennett Sappier appeared in Woodstock Provincial Court via tele-remand, and was charged with failure to comply with a prohibition order. He was remanded into custody and is scheduled to return to court on June 13 at 1:30 p.m. for a bail hearing.
The woman was later released on conditions, and is scheduled to appear in Woodstock Provincial Court on August 30.
The investigation is continuing.
The Provincial Crime Reduction Unit includes police officers from the New Brunswick RCMP and Fredericton Police Force. Its efforts focus on disrupting and dismantling the trafficking of illegal drugs in our province, targeting those causing the most harm in our communities.
The public plays an important role in helping to reduce, prevent and solve crime, including the trafficking of illegal drugs. Anyone with information about, or who suspects, illegal drug activity in their neighbourhood is asked to contact their local police. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App, or by Secure Web Tips at www.crimenb.ca.