Regional police, RCMP combine efforts to arrest alleged drug traffickers

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CHRIS HAYES
The Cape Breton Post

SYDNEY — Police hit the streets of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality Friday looking for 12 people wanted for street level dealing in drugs that include cocaine, LSD and ecstasy.
Deputy Chief Myles Burke of the Cape Breton Regional Police said 30 officers, following up on a joint regional police and RCMP investigation, had arrest warrants for 11 men and one woman living in different communities of the municipality.
Police have made major drug busts in the regional municipality in the last two weeks making arrests and seizing cocaine worth $670,000 in one takedown and $250,000 in another, but described Friday’s targets as the street-level and mid-level drug trade.
The charges involve drug deals ranging from ounces and grams of cocaine to hits of ecstasy, Burke said.
“These are hard drugs, these are drugs of concern to us,” said Burke. “Cocaine is a very very serious issue and we are pleased with the results. It is significant.”
“We have been able to make a disruption in relation to cocaine and the distribution on the streets of the CBRM, a significant disruption.”
RCMP Sgt. Mark Gallagher, who joined the regional police at the press conference, said the fallout from the drug arrests goes far beyond Cape Breton into other parts of Nova Scotia but he declined to provide details.
The arrests Friday resulted from a number of separate investigations which stretched over six months and arose from violent crimes and a growing number of complaints from the public, Burke said.
Criminals have been committing robberies and break and enters to get money to buy drugs, he said.
The partnership between the regional police and RCMP has been highly effective, said Burke.
“We have been able to see tremendous results in the municipality today.”
Police have contacted the Cape Breton District Health Authority about any concerns that may arise from an addictive drug like cocaine being taken off the street, Burke said.
“They are prepared to deal with addiction services concerns, treatment and programs . . . so there has been communication.”
Eight of the 12 people facing charges were remanded in custody after appearing in court Friday, two were already in custody after appearing in court earlier and a warrant was issued for another man.
Seven of the accused will return to court Monday for bail hearings including:
• Shawn Chislett, 32, of 62 Ocean Cres., Glace Bay, who is charged with two counts of trafficking in cocaine and two counts of possession of property obtained by crime.
• Craig Justin Christmas, 30, of 27 Bradley St., Sydney, who is charged with three charges of trafficking in cocaine and two counts of possession of currency obtained by crime and three counts of breach of an undertaking.
• Edwin Daniel Christmas, 21, of 30 Micmac Cres., Membertou, who is charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession of currency obtained by crime and breach of an undertaking.
• Simon Richard Denny, 21, 140 Castle Bay Rd., Eskasoni, who is charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession of currency obtained by crime and two counts of breach of an undertaking.
• Garth Gilbert Lafford, 21, of 70 Towerview, Apt. 3016, who is charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession of currency obtained by crime, breach of an undertaking and breaching probation.
• Shane A. Sylliboy, 34, who is charged with two counts of trafficking in cocaine and one of possession of currency obtained by crime.
• Shane Thomas Whiting, 22, of 206 1 Sydney Rd., Reserve Mines, who is charged with trafficking in ecstasy, trafficking in cocaine and possession of currency obtained by crime.
Courtney Reid, 24, of 297 Rotary Dr., Apt. 202, who is charged with trafficking in ecstasy, trafficking in cocaine, two counts of possession of currency obtained by crime and two counts of breach of an undertaking, will return to court Tuesday for a bail hearing.
Elvis Aaron Assoun, 29, of 125 Victoria Rd. in Sydney, appeared in court Thursday charged with trafficking in LSD, two counts of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, conspiring to traffic in cocaine, two counts of trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in ecstasy and possession of currency obtained by crime. He is to return to court Wednesday for a bail hearing.
Charles Matthew Cook, 25, of 157 George St., Sydney, who was remanded into custody after appearing in court Thursday, is to return to court Friday, He is facing charges of possession of cocaine for the purposes of trafficking and conspiracy to traffic in cocaine and trafficking in LSD.
A warrant was issued for Emerson Elliot Dickson of Sydney, on charges of trafficking in cocaine and possession of currency obtained by crime.

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