Category: Canada

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

December 19, 2024 Anglo Tignish – Yesterday the Prince District Joint Forces Operations (JFO) Unit executed a search at a residence in Anglo Tignish netting 1.5kg of suspected methamphetamines, cocaine, cash and weapons.

On December 18, 2024, Prince District Joint Forces Operation Unit with the assistance from Prince District RCMP, RCMP Provincial General Investigations Section, RCMP Major Crime Unit, RCMP Police Dog Service and Summerside Police Services Major Crime Unit executed a search warrant at a residence in Anglo Tignish.

Police Seized:

• Approximately 1.5 kg of suspected methamphetamines
• Approximately 40 grams of suspected cocaine
• Cash
• A rifle, bear spray, mace, and other weapons
• A vehicle was also seized as property related to the offence.

43-year-old Donna Gavin, 22-year-old Brayden McGuigan and 43-year-old Gerry Lee McGuigan have been charged with:

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine
• Possession of a firearm without a valid licence
• Unsafe storage of a firearm

And Donna Gavin and Gerry Lee McGuigan also face charges of

• Breach of probation

All 3 remain in custody pending a bail hearing which is to take place the morning of 2024-12-19.

This investigation is ongoing.

The Prince District JFO Drug Unit is a stand-alone unit comprised of members of the Prince District RCMP, Summerside Police Services, and Kensington Police Services. If you have information about drugs in your community please contact your local police detachment. In Prince County the JFO can be reached at 902-436-9300.

“Drug Seizures at the kilo level do not happen every day in PEI. 1.5 Kilograms of methamphetamines represents 1500 to 15000 doses and 40 grams of cocaine is 40 up to 400 doses. Having joint enforcement units on the island enhances policing capabilities to combat organized crime. In addition to drugs being dangerous for the user, there are community consequences associated with addiction including increased crime, increased health care costs, and direct impacts on the families and loved ones of the users. If you have information on drugs in your community, contact your local police detachment and help take drugs off our island streets and put drug dealers in jail”, said PEI RCMP Commanding Officer Chief Superintendent Kevin Lewis. He also added that he would like to thank the Summerside Police Service and Kensington Police Service for their ongoing partnership in combatting organized crime as part of the Joint Forces Operation in Prince District.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

A Springhill man is facing multiple charges for child pornography offences following investigations that began in September 2023.

In September 2023, the Nova Scotia RCMP’s provincial Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit received information from the National Child Exploitation Crime Centre, Homeland Security Investigations, and New York State Police that a Springhill man had travelled to the United States to meet with a youth for sexual purposes. At the time, it was believed the man had returned to Canada in possession of child pornography on his devices.

In December 2023, the ICE Unit, with assistance from RCMP Digital Forensic Services and Cumberland County District RCMP, executed a search warrant at a residence in Springhill and seized electronic devices.

On March 7, 2024, as a result of the search and subsequent investigation, the ICE Unit, with assistance from Cumberland County District RCMP and the Nova Scotia RCMP Interview Assistance Team, arrested 26-year-old Bryce Melanson and charged him with Luring a Child, Possession of Child Pornography and Making Sexually Explicit Material Available to a Child. He was released on conditions and appeared in Amherst Provincial Court at a later date.

In late March, the ICE Unit received information from Homeland Security Investigations that Melanson was continuing to communicate with the youth victim, contrary to his conditions. This information prompted a joint investigation with Homeland Security Investigations.

On May 15, the ICE Unit, with assistance of Cumberland County District RCMP, executed a warrant at Melanson’s residence as part of that investigation and subsequently charged him with Uttering Threats, Criminal Harassment, Fail to Comply and Intimidation of a Justice Participant. Melanson appeared in Amherst Provincial Court and was held in custody until June 7, when he was released on bail pending future court appearances.

On October 2, the ICE Unit received information that child pornography was transmitted via a social media platform, leading investigators, with assistance of RCMP Digital Forensic Services, Cumberland County District RCMP, and Cumberland County Street Crime Enforcement Unit, to execute a search warrant at Melanson’s home on December 11. Melanson was safely arrested and charged with Possession of Child Pornography, Transmission of Child Pornography and two counts of Fail to Comply with a Release Order. He was remanded into custody and will appear in Amherst Provincial Court on January 28, 2025.

“Over the last year we have worked closely with Homeland Security Investigations, the New York State Police, and a social media platform to gather evidence and move our files forward,” says Cst. Mandy Edwards, RCMP NS Internet Child Exploitation Unit. “We rely on our partnerships across the country and internationally to identify the people who produce and distribute child pornography and to get child victims the help they need from police and support resources.”

In Nova Scotia, it is mandatory for citizens to report suspected child pornography. Anyone who encounters child pornography material or recordings must report it to police. Failing to report suspicious activity could result in penalties similar to failure to report child abuse set out in the Child and Family Services Act. The RCMP encourages citizens to be a voice for children who are victims of sexual exploitation by reporting any suspected offences to their local police or by using Canada’s National tip site for reporting online sexual exploitation of children: www.cybertip.ca.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

On December 13, 2024, at 7:00 pm, Thompson RCMP received a report of a missing 36-year-old woman from an address located on McGill Place in Thompson.

Nadine Colomb was last seen in the evening hours of December 12 and indications were made that she was going to take a bus to Winnipeg.

Officers have checked in with the bus service in Thompson and no records were located which indicated she may have left the city. It is believed she is still in the Thompson area.

Colomb is described as being 5’5″, 170lbs with black hair & brown eyes. No clothing description was provided but it was indicated that she was dressed for the weather.

If you’ve seen Nadine Colomb or have any information on her whereabouts, please call the Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909/6911, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Whitbourne RCMP is investigating an arson, break and enter and the theft of two all-terrain vehicles (ATV) at a cabin near Makinsons.

On December 14, 2024, just before 10:30 p.m., Whitbourne RCMP responded to a report of a cabin on fire in the area of Old Hodgewater Line on Grand Pond. Police arrived on scene and determined that suspect(s) had forced entry into a garage located on the property and stole two ATV’s. A third ATV was removed from the garage and was rolled into a nearby pond. A camper trailer, parked on the property adjacent to the cabin, was also broken into. Suspects gained entry but it is not believed anything is missing from the camper trailer.

The fire is believed to have been deliberately set. The investigation is continuing.

Anyone with any information about this crime is asked to contact Whitbourne RCMP at 709-759-2600. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app. #SayItHere

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

With assistance from the public, Harbour Grace RCMP recovered a stolen all-terrain vehicle (ATV) in Heart’s Delight on December 16, 2024, and arrested and charged 27-year-old Jordan Mercer.

On December 16, just before 8:30 a.m., police received a report of a break, enter and theft of an ATV from inside the shed of a private residence in Heart’s Delight. Later that day, shortly after 3:00 p.m., Harbour Grace RCMP received a call for assistance from residents in Heart’s Delight who had found a male suspect in possession of the stolen quad. The man was being held for police arrival.

Police attended the scene and arrested Mercer, who is also known as Jordan Oliver, and confirmed the ATV as the one stolen overnight.

Jordan Mercer was held in custody overnight and appears in court today, charged with the following criminal offences:

• Break and enter
• Theft
• Possession of property obtained by crime
• Mischief under $5,000 – damage to property
• Fail to comply with conditions of a release order – two counts

RCMP NL thanks the public for their assistance provided during this investigation.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Cumberland County District RCMP is seeking assistance from the public to identify a man following a suspicious incident in Springhill.

On December 17, Cumberland County District RCMP received a report that at approximately 8:30 a.m., a silver SUV approached a child on Princess St. in Springhill and the driver attempted to get the child into the vehicle. The child ran away, went to a safe place nearby, and reported the incident to trusted adults. The child was not physically injured.

The driver is described as a white man, approximately 5’5″, and 180 lbs. He was wearing a black coat, beige pants, and a gaiter-style mask with the Boston Bruins logo.

The investigation is ongoing and Cumberland County District RCMP understand the seriousness of and concern that comes from an incident like this. Officers want to speak with anyone who has information about this incident and anyone with doorbell or dashcam footage that shows Princess Street around the time this incident took place. Please contact Cumberland County District RCMP at 902-243-2181. To remain anonymous, contact 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.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Holyrood RCMP is investigating a break, enter and theft at the RBC bank in Holyrood. A stolen backhoe was used to access the property, causing extensive damages. Four individuals were arrested overnight.

At approximately 3:45 a.m. on December 16, 2024, Holyrood RCMP received the report of the commercial break and enter that just occurred at the RBC bank on Conception Bay Highway. Officers arrived at the scene moments after the report and observed that the business was heavily damaged by a backhoe, which was abandoned at the scene. Information suggested two other vehicles, a dump truck and a pickup truck, were involved in the crime and fled the scene. The vehicle descriptions were provided to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) and a request for assistance was made.

A short time later, multiple units of the RNC located and stopped the described suspect vehicles, which were heading east on the Trans-Canada Highway, near Paddy’s Pond. Holyrood RCMP joined the RNC at the traffic stops where four individuals were arrested in relation to this crime. The two vehicles, a dump truck and a pickup truck, were seized. An ATM was recovered from the dump truck. The back hoe, which was stolen from a business in Holyrood prior to this crime, was also seized as part of this investigation.

The investigation is continuing with charges anticipated.

Anyone having information about this crime is asked to contact Holyrood RCMP at 709-229-3892 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.

RCMP NL thanks the RNC for assistance provided during this investigation.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Fifty-five-year-old Scott Lavers of Port Saunders was arrested by RCMP on December 16, 2024, following the search of a home in Port Saunders and a cabin in Hawke’s Bay. A number of firearms were seized.

With assistance from St. Anthony, Roddickton, Bay St. George and Rocky Harbour RCMP Detachments, as well as Police Dog Services, warrants authorized under the Criminal Code were executed at the two properties. The following items were located and seized:

• Two high-powered rifles
• A semi-automatic rifle
• A quantity of ammunition
• Firearms parts
• Stolen property

Lavers was arrested at the residence in Port Saunders on December 16. He is charged with the following criminal offences:

• Possession of property obtained by crime less than $5000.00;
• Unsafe storage of firearms;
• Possession of a firearm when knowing possession is unauthorized;
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm.

He attended court on December 17, 2024, and was released from custody on conditions. His next court date is scheduled to take place on April 8, 2025.

RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

December 13, 2024 Watson Lake RCMP initiated a traffic stop that resulted in significant seizure of what believed to be cocaine.

This past Friday, Watson Lake RCMP conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle. Police located and seized a brick of what is believed to be cocaine weighing over 1.5 kilograms. The driver, and sole occupant of the vehicle, a 23-year-old male from Alberta, was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine for the purposes of trafficking. Willy Berg Peters will appear in court in Watson Lake on April 8, 2025.

“The harms that are associated with illegal drug use strongly impact all aspects of our community in Watson Lake. We are happy that we can have an impact on public safety by being able to keep toxic drugs off of our streets” – Corporal Curtis Harbor, Watson Lake Detachment

“This seizure is but one example of how we are working in our role within Yukon’s Substance Use Health Emergency Strategy to increase the safety and wellbeing of Yukon communities. We are focused on keeping individuals and communities safe, by reducing and preventing the flow of toxic illicit drugs to Yukoners and Yukon communities.” Inspector Kent Langley, Acting Officer in Charge of Criminal Operations

Related: https://yukon.ca/en/substance-use-health-emergency-strategy

Substance Use Health Emergency | Yukon.ca

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

A 55-year-old man is deceased following an early morning two-vehicle collision that occurred on December 17, 2024, on the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) at the intersection of the TCH and Route 404, access to Jeffreys.

At approximately 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Bay St. George RCMP received a report of the collision. Police attended the scene where two vehicles had collided; a pickup truck was traveling westbound on the TCH and a SUV was entering onto the TCH from Route 404.

The lone occupant of the SUV, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. The two occupants of the pickup truck were transported to Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital in Stephenville for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and were later released.

A Collision Reconstructionist with RCMP Traffic Services attended the scene. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is engaged and the investigation is continuing.