The New Brunswick RCMP is asking the public for assistance into an ongoing drug trafficking investigation in Northeastern New Brunswick.
The RCMP's Northeast District Crime Reduction Unit has been conducting a drug trafficking investigation in the Rang-Saint-Georges area, near Paquetville for some time. Since 2018, the RCMP has conducted three search warrants at a residence on Route 135 including December 2018 and January 2020. On August 31, 2020, around 9:30 p.m., police executed search warrants at two homes on Route 135.
"Given the nature of the investigation, and information received during the course of the investigation, the RCMP's Emergency Response Team was deployed to ensure officer and public safety," says New Brunswick RCMP Media Relations Officer Sgt. Jean-Francois Martel. Members of the Tracadie detachment, Caraquet detachment and the RCMP's Police Dog Services assisted during the search warrants.
During the searches, police encountered fortified doors. A 35-year-old man, a 65-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman, all from Rang-Saint-Georges, were arrested at the scene. All three were released pending a court appearance on December 8, 2020. There were several other people present during the searches, including two young children. No one was injured, and paramedics attended the scene to ensure the wellbeing of all occupants.
Items seized from the two homes include quantities of what is believed to be cocaine in packages intended for distribution, as well as significant quantities of Canadian and US currency.
"The RCMP is committed to disrupting the drug trade in our communities, targeting those causing the most harm," says Sgt. Martel. "Members of the public can help by reporting suspicious activity to their local police."
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the Caraquet RCMP detachment at (506) 726-5222. 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.
The investigation is ongoing.