**** RCMP Media Release
Two traffic stops lead to cocaine and unstamped tobacco seizures in Colchester County
Two traffic stops in Colchester County have led to the seizure of cocaine and unstamped tobacco.
On May 26, 2023, at approximately 5:30 a.m., a member of RCMP Northwest Traffic Services was conducting speeding enforcement near the Cobequid Pass Toll Booth when they observed a vehicle travelling at 120km/hr in an 80km/hr zone. A traffic stop was initiated and the officer observed that the driver was displaying signs of impairment. The driver, a 52-year-old Bedford man, was arrested for impaired operation and a search of the vehicle was conducted incidental to arrest. During the search, officers noted what appeared to be cocaine inside of two duffel bags that were in the footwells behind the passenger and driver’s seats. Both bags had been within reach of the driver.
The man was transported to the Bible Hill Detachment and a search warrant was subsequently executed on his vehicle. During the search, officers located and seized 40kg of cocaine.
The man submitted to a Standardized Field Sobriety Test which he passed and he was later released on an Appearance Notice. He will be facing a charge of Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking and will appear in Truro Provincial Court at a later date. The man was also issued a Summary Offence Ticket for speeding which carries a fine of $237.50.
On May 27, at approximately 10:30 a.m., members of the Cumberland County District RCMP and Colchester County District RCMP responded to an impaired driving complaint on Hwy. 104. The vehicle was located at the Hwy. 104 and Hwy. 102 interchange and a traffic stop was initiated. Officers noted that the driver, a 66-year-old Ontario man, was displaying signs of impairment. The man provided a sample of breath into an Approved Screening Device which resulted in a 0mg% result, indicating that he did not have alcohol in his system. As the impaired driving investigation continued, officers located unmarked prescription medication on the man and unstamped tobacco was observed in his vehicle. He was arrested and his vehicle was seized.
EHS was contacted to ensure that the man was not experiencing a medical event and, once cleared by paramedics, he was transported to the Bible Hill Detachment.
A search warrant was executed on the vehicle, a Ford Econoline, and officers located over 643,000 unstamped cigarettes. The man also submitted to a Standardized Field Sobriety Test, which he failed and a subsequent Drug Recognition Examination, which he also failed, indicating that he was impaired by a drug.
He was later released from custody and will be facing charges of Impaired Operation of a Conveyance and Illegal Possession of Tobacco Products and Raw Leaf Tobacco. He will appear in Truro Provincial Court at a later date.
