Yarmouth Town RCMP has charged a 50-year-old Yarmouth man in relation to child pornography and drug offences.
On December 5, Yarmouth Town RCMP, with the assistance of RCMP Southwest Traffic Services and RCMP Police Dog Services, executed a search warrant at a residence on Main St. in Yarmouth as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation.
During the search, officers safely arrested a 50-year-old Yarmouth man and seized a quantity of cocaine, evidence of child pornography, electronic devices, counterfeit bills, and firearms.
Lawrence Joseph Woods has been charged with:
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking in Cocaine
- Possession of Child Pornography
- Possession of Counterfeit Money
- Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Distributing
- Possession of Unstamped Tobacco
- Possession of Tobacco with Unpaid Tax
- Possession of Tobacco not bearing the Prescribed Markings
- Possession for the Purpose of Sale Tobacco Product
Woods appeared today in Yarmouth Provincial Court. He has been remanded into custody pending his next scheduled court appearance on December 11, 2023.
The investigation, led by Yarmouth Town RCMP, is ongoing in consultation with the RCMP Internet Child Exploitation Unit, Digital Forensic Services and the Provincial Proceeds of Crime Unit. Additional charges are expected.
In Nova Scotia it is mandatory for citizens to report suspected child pornography. This means that anyone who encounters child pornography material or recordings must report it to the police. Failing to report suspicious activity and materials could result in penalties similar to failure to report child abuse set out in the Child and Family Services Act. The RCMP encourages citizens to be a voice for children who are victims of sexual exploitation by reporting any suspected offences to your local police or by using Canada's National tipline for reporting online sexual exploitation of children at www.cybertip.ca.
File # 2023-1729210
Note to media: A photo of seized items is attached.