East Leicester pair charged after fentanyl, loaded shotgun seized in RCMP search

Two people from East Leicester, N.S., have been charged with drug trafficking and weapons offences after police searched a home on Hwy. 204 on October 29, according to the Nova Scotia RCMP.

Police said the Cumberland County Street Crime Enforcement Unit carried out a search warrant at a residence in the 4200 block of Hwy. 204 as part of an ongoing fentanyl trafficking investigation. Criminal Intelligence Service Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia RCMP Emergency Response Team, the Colchester Community Action Team and the Amherst Police Department assisted.

What police seized

According to the RCMP, officers seized:

• About 11 grams of fentanyl
• Cocaine
• A quantity of pills
• Drug-related paraphernalia

Police said a loaded, unsecured shotgun and two crossbows were also found inside the home.

Charges

Matthew Aaron Hunsley, 42, and Nicole Laura Tower, 34, both of East Leicester, were arrested. Each is charged with:

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking (four counts)
• Careless use of a firearm
• Contravention of firearm storage regulations
• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized

Hunsley also faces four counts of failing to comply with a release order, police said.

Both accused were remanded into custody and were scheduled to appear in Amherst Provincial Court on November 2.

The RCMP noted that the Cumberland County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit includes members of the Cumberland County District RCMP and the Amherst Police Department.

How to report

Police are encouraging Nova Scotians to report criminal activity, including the illegal sale of drugs, to their local police. Anonymous tips can be made through Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or through the P3 Tips app.

The RCMP file number is 2026-1285713.