Yarmouth man facing child pornography, drug trafficking offences
Police have laid child pornography and drug charges against 50-year-old Lawrence Joseph Woods following the search of a home in Yarmouth.
As part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation, the Yarmouth RCMP, Southwest Traffic Services and Police Dog Services executed a search warrant at a residence on Main Street on Dec. 5.
During the search, the RCMP says officers seized cocaine, electronic devices, counterfeit bills, firearms and items the police believed to be child pornography evidence.
Woods of Yarmouth has been arrested and charged with:
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking in cocaine;
• Possession of child pornography;
• Possession of counterfeit money;
• Possession of cannabis for the purpose of distributing;
• Possession of unstamped tobacco;
• Possession of tobacco with unpaid tax;
• Possession of tobacco not bearing the prescribed markings;
• Possession for the purpose of sale tobacco product.
Woods made his first court appearance on the charges in Yarmouth provincial court on Dec. 6 and was remanded into custody until his next scheduled court appearance next Monday, Dec. 11.
"The investigation, led by Yarmouth Town RCMP, is ongoing in consultation with the RCMP Internet Child Exploitation Unit, Digital Forensic Services and the Provincial Proceeds of Crime Unit," reads a Dec. 6 RCMP media release. "Additional charges are expected."
The RCMP says in Nova Scotia it is mandatory for citizens to report suspected child pornography.
"This means that anyone who encounters child pornography material or recordings must report it to the police. Failing to report suspicious activity and materials could result in penalties similar to failure to report child abuse set out in the Child and Family Services Act," the release reads. "The RCMP encourages citizens to be a voice for children who are victims of sexual exploitation by reporting any suspected offences to your local police or by using Canada's National tipline for reporting online sexual exploitation of children at www.cybertip.ca."