RCMP raids on 13 cannabis dispensaries across southwestern Nova Scotia have led to 21 arrests and the confiscation of over $1.2 million worth of illegal products.
While police say they were targeting organized crime, the Mi’kmaq Rights Association argues the raids violate Indigenous treaty rights.
RCMP respond to raids
Superintendent Jason Popik, who led the operation, says the focus was illegal dispensaries operating outside of provincial regulations. “Our objective was to dismantle illicit drug markets, which we found were tied to organized crime,” he said.
The RCMP investigation, known as Project Highfield, began in October and culminated in searches between February 4 and 13.
Officers seized large amounts of dried cannabis, edibles, concentrated THC products, and psilocybin. They also confiscated 17 firearms and illegal cigarettes.
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