Update: On March 14, 2024, Amanda Chloe Shannon appeared in Moncton Provincial Court, and plead guilty to conspiracy to traffic fentanyl for which she was sentenced to eight years in prison. She also plead guilty to possession of property obtained by crime over $5000, for which she was sentenced to one year.
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Two women and two men have also been charged in connection with a drug trafficking investigation in the Greater Moncton area.
In September 2022, the New Brunswick RCMP Provincial Crime Reduction Unit (PCRU) began an investigation into the trafficking of illegal drugs in the Greater Moncton area.
In the early morning hours of June 1, 2023, PCRU members arrested a 41-year-old man and a then 19-year-old woman in the Salisbury area, in connection with the investigation.
Later the same morning, PCRU members, with the assistance of members from the Codiac Regional RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, and RCMP Police Dog Services, executed three simultaneous search warrants at residences on Murphy Avenue in Moncton, Chianti Street in Dieppe, and a business on Route 115 in Irishtown. A 22-year-old woman was arrested during the search in Dieppe.
As a result of the arrests and searches, police seized more than eight kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, two kilograms of what is believed to be fentanyl, significant quantities of Shady 8 pills, drug trafficking paraphernalia, electronics, and money.
The two women were later released from custody with future court dates.
On June 2, Jason Mackenzie appeared in Moncton Provincial Court by way of tele-remand and was charged with trafficking methamphetamine.
On June 6, he returned to court and was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and trafficking benzimidazole. He was remanded into custody.
On July 28, Shawn Fredericks appeared in Moncton Provincial Court and was charged with trafficking methamphetamine. He was remanded into custody, and is scheduled to return to court on January 22, 2024.
On December 4, Amanda Chloe Shannon was arrested and was charged in Moncton Provincial Court with conspiracy to traffic illegal drugs. On December 5, the following additional charges were laid against her:
- Two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl
- Conspiracy to traffic fentanyl
- Conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine
- Possession of property obtained by crime exceeding $5000
She was remanded into custody.
On December 4, a 44-year-old man was arrested at a correctional facility in Springhill, Nova Scotia, in connection with the investigation.
On December 5, Mark Vetesnik was charged with conspiracy to traffic fentanyl and conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. He was remanded into custody.
On December 7, a 20-year-old woman was arrested in Woodstock, N.B., in connection with the investigation.
On December 8, Samara Acheson appeared in Woodstock Provincial Court and was charged with:
- Two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl
- Two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine
- Trafficking methamphetamine
- Trafficking of proceeds obtained by crime exceeding $5000
She was later released from custody, and is scheduled to return to court on January 19, 2024.
The Provincial Crime Reduction Unit focuses on disrupting and dismantling the trafficking of illegal drugs in our province, targeting those causing the most harm in our communities.