RCMP disrupts drug trafficking ring, seizes significant quantity of drugs and firearms

June 16, 2021
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

News release

Images

Display of drugs seized
Significant quantity of drugs and firearms seized

As the result of an 11-month investigation beginning in March 2020, the RCMP has disrupted a drug trafficking ring and charged 14 people with approximately 100 offences. Police also have seized a significant quantity of drugs, firearms and money.

On December 9, the Nova Scotia RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit arrested two men during a traffic stop on Elliott St. in Halifax, after they threw a loaded handgun out the window. Police recovered and seized the gun and searched the vehicle, where they found cocaine. The driver and passenger were charged with multiple firearm-related offences and the driver, Cameron Mombourquette, was also charged with motor vehicle related offences.

The traffic stop prompted a search of a Halifax home, where police located and seized a loaded firearm with various amounts of ammunition. The passenger of the vehicle, Dawid Jakub Dennisow, was charged with additional firearms offences.

Thirteen additional locations known for drug activity throughout the HRM were also searched, leading to multiple arrests and a significant of amount drugs, money, firearms and other items being seized.

While searching the properties, the following was seized:

  • 3.5 kg of cocaine
  • 110 kg of Benzocaine and other cutting agents
  • 400 pills, including Heroin, steroids and combination codeine/caffeine tablets (ratio-Lenoltec)
  • 10 firearms
  • Conducted Energy Weapon
  • $369,000 in cash
  • three hydraulic cocaine presses
  • bear spray
  • drug paraphernalia
  • 2 body armour
  • 122 lbs of cannabis products
  • 310 cannabis plants

The investigation also uncovered a cocaine processing house and a clandestine lab for processing cannabis. The clandestine lab had tanks of highly explosive propane and butane, so the RCMP Clandestine Laboratory Team and Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency were called to safely dismantle the lab. Police also discovered three other houses involved in drug processing. All five properties were restrained by police, as well as five vehicles that were used while committing an offence. This means that owners must maintain care of the homes and vehicles until they go to a forfeiture hearing.

"This is an example of outstanding work by our officers and partners," says Supt. Jason Popik, Federal Criminal Operations Officer. "Together, we have disrupted a complex drug trafficking ring, prevented a significant quantity of dangerous and highly-addictive drugs from getting to our streets and we are holding criminals accountable for their harm to communities."

The RCMP has charged the following people with approximately 100 offences. See the attached backgrounder for a complete list of charges.

  • Gary Michael Boudreau, 44, of Halifax
  • Jacob Thomas Cuvelier, 27, of Halifax
  • Cyril Allison Delong, 27, of Kentville
  • Dawid Jakub Dennisow, 25, of Halifax
  • Stephen Alexander Fleming, 39, of Bedford
  • Shawn Alonzo Forrestall, 41, of Pockwock
  • Barry Gerrard, 64, of Pope's Harbour
  • Kailey Lynn Kane, 25, of New Glasgow
  • Nicholas W. B. Macleod, 33, of Halifax
  • Karam Chafic Makhoul, 29, of Williamswood
  • Cameron Mombourquette, 23, of Bedford
  • Bradley John Schofield, 44, of Tantallon
  • Christian Alexander Strickland, 35, of Halifax
  • Samer Zakhour, 34, of Hammonds Plains

This is an example of the Nova Scotia RCMP and partner agencies working together to protect Nova Scotians. The Canada Revenue Agency, Criminal Intelligence Service of Nova Scotia (CISNS), Forensic Accounting Management Group (FAMG) at Public Services and Procurement Canada, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada greatly assisted with the investigation.

The investigation is ongoing and being led by the Nova Scotia RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit with assistance from the Nova Scotia RCMP Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services, Forensic Identification Services, Digital Forensics Services, Ontario RCMP and Halifax District RCMP.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Nova Scotia RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit at 902-720-5150. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.

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Contact information

Cpl. Lisa Croteau
Nova Scotia RCMP
Public Information Officer
Phone: 902-830-5695
Email: lisa.croteau@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Jeffrey Lansing
Canada Revenue Agency
Communications Manager
Phone: 902-233-5085
Email: jeffrey.lansing@cra-arc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada
613-947-6875
media.medias@fintrac-canafe.gc.ca

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Maritimes Region Media Relations
Phone: 902-407-8439
Email: Media.Mar@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Public Services and Procurement Canada
Media Relations
Phone: 819-420-5501
Email: media@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

Backgrounder: Nova Scotia RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime Investigation – Full list of charges and court date

  • Gary Michael Boudreau, 44, of Halifax, NS., for the offences of:

    • Participation in a Criminal Organization
    • Commission of Offence for Criminal Organization
    • Instructing Commission of Offence for Criminal Organization
    • Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence of Trafficking Cocaine
    • Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Cocaine
    • Trafficking Cocaine
    • Possession of Anything Used to Traffic in a Controlled Substance
    • Laundering Proceeds of Crime
    • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
    • Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm while on a Court Order not to Possess Firearm
    • Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
    • Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
    • Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device without Authorization: over capacity magazine
    • Possession of a Firearm knowing it is Unauthorized
    • Possession of a Prohibited Device knowing it is Unauthorized: over capacity magazine
    • Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence of Unlawfully Distributing Cannabis
    • Unauthorized Cultivation and Harvesting of Cannabis
    • Unauthorized Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling
  • Jacob Thomas Cuvelier, 27, of Halifax, NS, for the offences of:

    • Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence of Trafficking Cocaine
    • Trafficking Cocaine
    • Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Cocaine
    • Laundering Proceeds of Crime
    • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
  • Cyril Allison Delong, 27, of Kentville, NS, for offences of:

    • Conspiracy to commit indictable offence of trafficking Cocaine
    • Possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine
    • Trafficking cocaine
  • Dawid Jakub Dennisow, 25, of Halifax, NS, for offences of:

    • Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Cocaine

    Charges already laid on December 9, 2020:

    • Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose × 3
    • Careless use of a Firearm × 2
    • Unsafe Storage of a Firearm
    • Possession of a Firearm Knowing Its Possession is Unauthorized × 3
    • Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm × 2
    • Possession of a Prohibited Device × 4
    • Possession of a Firearm Knowing Serial Number is Altered
    • Occupying a motor vehicle with a Prohibited Weapon
  • Stephen Alexander Fleming, 39, of Bedford, NS, for the offences of:

    • Laundering Proceeds of Crime
    • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
    • Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence of Unlawfully Distributing Cannabis
    • Unauthorized Cultivation and Harvesting of Cannabis
    • Unauthorized Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling
  • Shawn Alonzo Forrestall, 41, of Pockwock, NS, the offences of:

    • Participation in Criminal Organization
    • Commission of Offence for Criminal Organization
    • Instructing Commission of Offence for Criminal Organization
    • Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence of Trafficking Cocaine
    • Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Cocaine
    • Trafficking Cocaine
    • Possession of Anything Used to Traffic in a Controlled Substance
    • Laundering Proceeds of Crime
    • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
    • Unsafe Storage Contrary to Regulation, handgun × 2
    • Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm - unregistered handgun × 2
    • Possession of a Firearm Knowing it is Unauthorized- unregistered handgun × 2
    • Possession of a Restricted Firearm with Ammunition × 2
    • Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose × 2
    • Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence of Unlawfully Distributing Cannabis
    • Unauthorized Cultivation and Harvesting of Cannabis
    • Unauthorized Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling
    • Unauthorized Alteration of the Chemical or Physical Properties of Cannabis
  • Barry Gerrard, 64, of Pope's Harbour, NS, for the offences of:

    • Unauthorized Cultivation and Harvesting of Cannabis
    • Unauthorized Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling
    • Unauthorized Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Distribution
  • Kailey Lynn Kane, 25, of New Glasgow, NS, for the offences of:

    • Trafficking Cocaine
  • Nicholas W. B. Macleod, 33, of Halifax, NS, for offences of:

    • Trafficking Cocaine × 2
  • Karam Chafic Makhoul, 29, of Williamswood, NS, for the offences of:

    • Unauthorized Distribution of Cannabis
    • Unauthorized Selling Cannabis
    • Unauthorized Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling
    • Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose (Conducted Energy Weapon)
    • Unauthorized Possession of Restricted Weapon (Conducted Energy Weapon)
    • Possession of a Weapon Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized (Conducted Energy Weapon)
  • Cameron Mombourquette, 23, of Bedford, NS, for the offences of:

    • Participation in a Criminal Organization
    • Commission of Offence for Criminal Organization
    • Instructing Commission of Offence for Criminal Organization
    • Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence of Trafficking Cocaine
    • Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Cocaine
    • Trafficking Cocaine
    • Trafficking MDMA
    • Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Heroin
    • Possession of anything used to Traffic in a Controlled Substance
    • Weapons Trafficking
    • Possession for the Purpose of Weapons Trafficking
    • Laundering Proceeds of Crime
    • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
    • Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence of Unlawfully Distributing Cannabis
    • Unauthorized Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling

    Charges already laid on December 9, 2020:

    • Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
    • Careless use of a Firearm
    • Possession of a Prohibited Device
    • Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized × 2
    • Possession of a Firearm knowing Serial Number is Altered
    • Driving with a Prohibited Weapon
    • Occupying a Motor Vehicle with a Prohibited Weapon
    • Dangerous Driving
    • Flight from Police
  • Bradley John Schofield, 44, of Tantallon, NS, for the offences of:

    • Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence of Unlawfully Distributing Cannabis
    • Unauthorized Cultivation and Harvesting of Cannabis
    • Unauthorized Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling
  • Christian Alexander Strickland, 35, of Halifax, NS, for the offences of:

    • Fraud over $ 5,000
    • Public Mischief over $ 5,000
    • Unauthorized Cultivation and Harvesting of Cannabis
    • Unauthorized Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling
    • Unauthorized Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Distribution
  • Samer Zakhour, 34, of Hammonds Plains, NS, for the offences of:

    • Unauthorized Cultivation and Harvesting of Cannabis
    • Unauthorized Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling
    • Unauthorized Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Distribution

The individuals are scheduled to appear in Halifax Provincial Court on September 8, 2021.

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