**** RCMP Media Release
Annapolis District RCMP charge four in drugs, firearms and explosives investigation
Annapolis District RCMP has charged four people in a drugs, firearms and explosives investigation in Middleton.
On November 13, 2022, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle on Main St. in Middleton, in relation to an ongoing drug investigation. RCMP officers located four people in the vehicle, all of which were safely arrested. During the investigation, officers observed drug paraphernalia in the vehicle and located drug paraphernalia on one of the vehicle occupants. During a search of the vehicle, officers located ammunition and a revolver. The vehicle was subsequently seized and three of the four people who had been arrested, were released on conditions for unrelated investigations. The fourth person was released at the scene, without charge and pending further investigation.
On November 14, a search warrant was obtained for the vehicle, and during the search, RCMP officers located and seized, an improvised explosive device (IED) a revolver, a pistol, ammunition, an axe, knives, methamphetamine, cash, cellular phones, a tablet and drug paraphernalia.
Between November 17 and 24, RCMP officers located all four people that had been in the vehicle and arrested them in relation to the items that were found during the search of the vehicle.
Tyler Bezanson, 29, of Meadowvale, Lisa Laviolette, 37, of Nictaux Falls, Tyler McPherson, 25, of Middleton and Nicole Oakes, 33, of Middleton, have been charged with Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking.
Bezanson was also charged with Possession of an Explosive Substance, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Pointing a Firearm, Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose (2 counts).
All four will appear in Annapolis Royal Provincial Court on February 21, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.
The investigation was assisted by the Annapolis District RCMP Street Crime Enforcement Unit and the Nova Scotia RCMP Explosives Disposal Unit.
