NB: Men arrested after police seize drugs, guns

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MetroNews Canada



Men arrested after police seize drugs, guns


Published: July 18, 2011 1:48 p.m.
Last modified: July 18, 2011 1:58 p.m.


BATHURST, N.B. - Police in northern New Brunswick say two men face charges after drugs and guns were seized in what they call a significant bust.

RCMP say officers seized more than 20 kilograms of marijuana and cannabis resin last Wednesday in Beresford and South Tetagouche, not far from Bathurst.

Six rifles were also found.

The operation involved the Mounties, the Beresford-Nigadoo-Petit Rocher-Pointe Verte Regional Police and police from Bathurst and Miramichi.

Police say Thomas Peter-Paul of South Tetagouche has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The 48-year-old man will remain in custody until a court appearance in Bathurst on Aug. 18.

Another suspect, a 44-year-old man from Chamberlain Settlement, is expected to face drug-related charges when he appears in court in October.

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Major drug bust made near Bathurst


Published Tuesday July 19th, 2011


Police believe operation is connected to organized crime


A3By Craig Babstock
Times & Transcript STaff


Police say a major drug seizure in the northern part of the province last week is no small-time operation.

"We believe it's connected to organized crime," said District 9 Restigouche-Chaleur RCMP Cpl. Alain Tremblay.

When asked if police believe the drugs and the two individuals arrested have a connection to any particular group, he said the investigation is ongoing and involves several police forces.

But he also said that police believe the case is tied to a major criminal organization.

Police haven't released a figure for what the illegal drugs are worth, but Tremblay said they believe it's "in the high six figures, for sure."

During the afternoon of July 13, members of the Bathurst Detachment of the District 9 Restigouche-Chaleur RCMP, assisted by members of the District 8 RCMP, Beresford/Nigadoo/Petit-Rocher/Pointe-Verte Regional Police Force, Bathurst Police Force and Miramichi Police Force seized a large quantity of marijuana and cannabis resin on rue Principale in Beresford, northwest of Bathurst.

As a result of the seizure, police executed search warrants at two residences in Beresford and in Rosehill-South Tetagouche. Another large quantity of marijuana and cannabis resin was seized at those locations.

"This is a significant seizure. Police seized 17 pounds of marijuana and nearly 40 pounds of hashish cannabis resin, as well as six rifles," said Restigouche-Chaleur RCMP Insp. Marc Landry. "Thanks to the teamwork of all of the policing agencies involved, we were able to keep that hashish and potentially 18,000 marijuana joints off our streets and particularly away from those individuals who may have eventually targeted young people to sell them these drugs."

Two men were arrested, including 48-year-old Thomas Peter-Paul, of Rosehill-South Tetagouche, who is charged with drug possession for the purpose of trafficking. He was remanded into custody and police said further charges will likely be laid against him.

A 44-year-old man from Chamberlain Settlement was released on a promise to appear in Bathurst provincial court on Oct. 24 to face drug-related charges.

"This operation was the result of a joint investigation between police forces throughout the region because drug dealers have no jurisdictional boundaries," said Bathurst Police Force Chief Eugene Poitras. "It is important for all police forces to work together to combat and reduce illegal drug activity in northern New Brunswick to ensure we continue to have safe communities."