A 47-year-old man from Balmoral N.B., and a 36-year-old man from Eel River Bar N.B. have been arrested following a seizure of drugs and a prohibited weapon in Balmoral.
In September 2022, the New Brunswick RCMP's Provincial Crime Reduction Unit (PCRU), the Miramichi Police Force Integrated Enforcement Unit, the Bathurst Police Force Integrated Enforcement Unit, and the Sûreté du Quebec, began an investigation into the trafficking of illegal drugs in the Northeast area of the province.
On December 8, 2022, a 47-year-old man and a 36-year-old man were arrested in the Balmoral area in connection with the investigation. During the arrest, police seized a significant quantity of money.
Subsequent to the arrests, police executed a search warrant at a residence on Avenue des Pionniers in Balmoral, N.B. During the search, police seized significant quantities of what is believed to be crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, methamphetamine pills, shady 8 pills, fentanyl pills, and hydromorphone pills. Police also seized drug trafficking paraphernalia, drug production paraphernalia, a prohibited weapon, and money.
Both men were later released on conditions and are scheduled to appear in Campbellton Provincial Court on May 29, 2023.
This investigation was the result of a joint effort between the RCMP Provincial Crime Reduction Unit, the New Brunswick Integrated Enforcement Units (IEU) in both Miramichi Police force and Bathurst Police force as well as the Sûreté du Quebec. The New Brunswick IEU is made up of members from the New Brunswick RCMP, as well as municipal police and Justice and Public Safety officers in the province. These efforts aim to improve the coordinated response to the growing concerns of drugs, firearms, and organized crime within New Brunswick. The Provincial Crime Reduction Unit includes police officers from the New Brunswick RCMP and Fredericton Police Force. These efforts focus on disrupting and dismantling the trafficking of illegal drugs in our province, targeting those causing the most harm in our communities. Members from the Campbellton RCMP detachment also assisted during the arrests.
The public plays an important role in helping to reduce, prevent and solve crime, including the trafficking of illegal drugs. Anyone with information about, or who suspects, illegal drug activity in their neighbourhood is asked to contact their local police. 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.