Two charged in Pictou County drug investigation

WESTVILLE, N.S. - Two men are facing a slew of charges after police in Pictou County conducted two searches in connection with a drug and stolen property investigation on Feb. 10.

In a Feb. 11 release, the Pictou County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit said officers stopped and searched a vehicle in Westville just before 2:30 p.m.

Police said officers found cocaine, methamphetamine, hydromorphone, a digital scale and an electronic device. Two men were arrested for offences including possession of cocaine, methamphetamine and hydromorphone for the purpose of trafficking, as well as possession of stolen property.

About 10 minutes later, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Central West River where police said officers found cocaine, methamphetamine, hydromorphone, an illegal marijuana grow operation, illegal cigarettes, a firearm, a stolen side-by-side, a stolen utility trailer and several other stolen tools and equipment as well as electronic devices. A man was arrested for possession of cocaine and methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of stolen property.

Resulting from the searches, a 37-year-old man and 51-year-old man are facing charges of possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, property obtained by crime under $5,000, careless use of a firearm, unsafe storage of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm knowing possession is unauthorized.

The 37-year-old man is facing two additional charges of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of hydromorphone for the purpose of trafficking.

The third man arrested was released with no charges.

Both of the accused have been released from custody and are set to appear in Pictou provincial court in May.

Police said the investigation is ongoing.