EVICTION COULD FOLLOW DRUG CHARGES

Province Warns Man About Apartment

YARMOUTH - A man from the Yarmouth area charged with trafficking in
marijuana has also been threatened with eviction from his apartment
by the province of Nova Scotia.

[name redacted], 26, of Main Shore Road in South Chegoggin, was
formally charged Tuesday with trafficking and possession for the
purpose of trafficking after his apartment was raided by police on March 27.

After the raid, RCMP Cpl. Duane Lopie returned to the apartment of
the suspect accompanied by a provincial justice department investigator.

Mr. [name redacted] was served with a written notice under the Safer
Communities and Neighbourhoods Act.

"They served him with a warning that if criminal activity continues
at that address then they'll proceed with a notice of eviction," said
Cpl. Lopie.

According to the Department of Justice website, the Safer Communities
and Neighbourhoods Act allows the department to evict people and even
shut down residential and commercial buildings and plots of land that
are suspected of being used regularly for illegal activities like
drug sales, prostitution, gambling or bootlegging.

During the March 27 raid, Mounties seized about 1.4 kilograms of
marijuana worth about $15,000 on the street, large stacks of cash,
scales and other items including small plastic baggies.

Three men were arrested at the scene, but two were later released
without being charged.

Mr. [name redacted] will appear in Yarmouth Provincial Court on June 23.

It was the first seizure of drugs by the RCMP's new Yarmouth / Clare
street crime enforcement unit since it was formed earlier in March.

The mandate of the unit is to focus on organized crime in the region,
including illegal drug sales.

"We consult with the (local RCMP) detachment commanders to see what
the priorities are in their areas," said Cpl. Lopie, who heads up the new unit.

"Our unit will be (working) with the public safety division," said Cpl. Lopie.

Confidential complaints can be made by calling the public safety
investigative unit at 877-357-2337.