The Cumberland County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit (SCEU) has charged eight people after concluding a months-long inter-provincial drug trafficking investigation.
In October 2021, Cumberland County Integrated SCEU, with assistance from Sackville RCMP in New Brunswick, began an investigation relating to drug trafficking in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Between February 24 and 26, 2022, police executed search warrants and enforcement actions in Moncton and Sackville, New Brunswick. During the searches and enforcement actions, police arrested a number of people and seized cocaine, methamphetamine, psilocybin, prescription drugs, items that could be used to produce cocaine, a handgun with a silencer, a money counter, cash, red and blue "police style" lights and siren, a radio with access to police communications and cellular phones.
The following face firearms and/or drug related charges as a result of the search and seizures:
Taylor Cole, 26, of Sackville, New Brunswick, is charged with Trafficking a Controlled Substance (3 counts), Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking a Controlled Substance (2 counts), Possession of a Stolen Restricted Firearm, Unauthorized Possession of a Restricted Firearm, Possession of a Prohibited Device (4 counts), Careless Use of a Firearm, Unsafe Storage of a Firearm, Possession of Proceeds of Crime and Failure to Comply with a Release Order. Cole has been remanded into custody and will appear in Moncton Provincial Court on March 4, 2022.
Colt Leblanc, 37, of Upper Sackville, New Brunswick, is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking and Possession of Proceeds of Crime. Leblanc will appear in Moncton Provincial Court on June 20, 2022.
Normand Gautreau, 28, of Memramcook, New Brunswick, is charged with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (3 counts), Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking and Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance, Flight from Police and Resisting Arrest. Gautreau will appear in Amherst Provincial Court on March 21, 2022.
Brittany Allen, 32, and Katherine Johnson, 30, both of Sackville, New Brunswick, are charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (2 counts) and Unauthorized Possession of a Restricted Firearm. Allen will appear in Moncton Provincial Court on June 24, 2022 and Johnson will appear in Moncton Provincial Court on July 22, 2022.
Simon Chipper, 41, of Grande-Digue, New Brunswick, is charged with Trafficking a Controlled Substance. Chipper will appear in Moncton Provincial Court on June 24, 2022.
Cheryl Trenholm, 26, of Sackville, New Brunswick, is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (2 counts). Trenholm will appear in Moncton Provincial Court on March 4, 2022.
Marilyn Jane Burden, 38, of Amherst, Nova Scotia, is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking, Theft of a Motor Vehicle and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (3 counts). Burden will appear in Amherst Provincial Court at a later date.
The investigation continues to be led by the Cumberland County Integrated SCEU.
Further charges are anticipated.
Quotes
"This investigation is an example of what is achieved when police services and enforcement partners work seamlessly together across jurisdictional boundaries to dismantle crime groups who pose a risk to public safety. I want to thank the New Brunswick RCMP and Amherst Police for their contribution to this successful investigation," says Supt. Paul MacDougall, District Policing Officer for Northeast Nova District RCMP.
"This investigation has led to a significant disruption of drug trafficking and other prolific criminal activity in Cumberland County and beyond. Proactive crime reduction strategies and intelligence led investigations like this one help keep our communities safe and represent the dedication and commitment of our investigators to that goal," says S/Sgt. Craig Learning, Cumberland County District RCMP Commander.
"Addressing these kinds of criminal activities are a priority for our department. We are committed to working with our partners and providing resources to keep our community safe, and free of the harms caused by these activities. They have a devastating effect on communities on both sides of the provincial border. Extensive collaboration between law enforcement agencies is essential in tackling problems like this and we are very proud of the work done by all involved," says Chief Dwayne Pike, Amherst Police Department
"This coordinated operation has targeted those who cause the most harm in our communities," said says New Brunswick RCMP Commanding Officer, Assistant Commissioner, DeAnna Hill. "I am proud of the collaborative efforts, excellent police work by our officers, and their dedication to the communities we serve."
File #: 2021-1611868
Note: The Cumberland County Integrated SCEU is comprised of members of the Cumberland County District RCMP and Amherst Police Department. The photos attached to this release are of the items seized during this investigation