Police in Nova Scotia raided five unlicensed cannabis stores today in Cole Harbour on the Cole Harbor Indian Reserve No 30.
Nova Scotia RCMP says it continues to take a “measured approach” to dealing with unlicensed cannabis stores, including consultation with the stakeholders to address the unlicensed sale of cannabis in the community. The raid came following an increasing number of complaints and concerns about the products being sold and the potential sale to youth prompted the police action at these storefronts.
Police conducted a raid on a store on or near the same location just over a year ago, as well, on December 19, 2019.
Several local news outlets have posted images of some of the signage being removed from at least two locations between Phillips Lane and Muin Road, including one called the High Grade Smoke Shop.
A large quantity of cannabis, including cannabis edibles and cash were seized. Nine people were arrested under the Cannabis Act and are facing charges for distribution of cannabis, possession for the purpose of distributing cannabis, unlawfully selling cannabis, and unauthorized possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling it.
The investigation is ongoing.
Twenty one legal cannabis stores in Nova Scotia are currently licensed by the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation.
On December 17, RCMP in Eskasoni, Nova Scotia searched an unlicensed cannabis storefront, seizing a “significant quantity” of cannabis and resulting in one charge being laid. RCMP say they received a report in October of the unlicensed cannabis retailer on Crane Cove Rd. in the Eskasoni First Nation.
RCMP say that officers attended the property on multiple occasions and engaged in a dialogue with the owners of the storefront in an effort to resolve the matter.
