Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
A 45-year-old man from Saint-Anne-de-Kent, N.B, has been sentenced to five years in prison in connection with two drug trafficking investigations in the Southeast region of New Brunswick.
On March 3, 2022, at approximately 12:20 a.m., members of the Provincial Crime Reduction Unit executed a search warrant at a residence on Grattan Road, as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation. During the search, police seized quantities of cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, methamphetamine pills, oxycodone pills, hydromorphone pills and a number of assorted prescription pills. Police also seized a loaded and unsecured firearm in plain sight, a replica handgun, money and drug trafficking paraphernalia.
A 43-year-old man and 45-year-old woman both from Sainte-Anne-de-Kent, as well as a 46-year-old man from Saint-Louis-De Kent, were arrested at the scene and were later released to attend court at a later date.
On April 26, 2023 PCRU members, with assistance from members of the Southeast District RCMP and RCMP Police Dog Services, executed search warrants at a residence in Sainte-Anne-de-Kent, and a residence in Aldouane, in connection with a separate drug trafficking investigation. A 45-year-old man, a 26-year-old man, and a 24-year-old woman were arrested at the scene.
As a result of both searches, police seized significant quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, methamphetamine pills, fentanyl, hydromorphone pills, oxycodone pills, and other drugs. Police also seized drug trafficking paraphernalia and money.
The 24-year-old woman and the 28-year-old woman were both later released to appear in court at a later date.
On April 27, 45-year-old Jean-Francois Ferron, and 26-year-old Joey LeBlanc, appeared in Moncton Provincial Court by way of tele-remand, and were both charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine. Both men were remanded into custody.
In total, between March 2022, and April 2023, Jean-Francois Ferron was charged with a number of offences relating to both of the above investigations, including:
- Two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine
- Two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking hydromorphone
- Two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine
- Unsafe storage of a firearm
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Possession of a firearm while knowing possession is unauthorized
On October 26, 2023, Jean-Francois Ferron plead guilty to all of the above charges, and was sentenced to a total of five years in prison, minus time already served. Upon his release, he will face a lifetime weapons prohibition, and will be ordered to submit a DNA sample.
The Provincial Crime Reduction Unit includes police officers from the New Brunswick RCMP. Its efforts focus on disrupting and dismantling the trafficking of illegal drugs in our province, targeting those causing the most harm in our communities.
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.