SHELBURNE, N.S. — The RCMP say they have laid drug charges against a 29-year-old Shelburne man following a three-month investigation.
The police also say that municipal officials in Shelburne have asked the RCMP to make drug enforcement a priority.
“The RCMP and municipal officials have identified "hard" drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine to be enforcement priorities for Shelburne RCMP,” reads an RCMP media release issued on Jan. 10. “Both police and town officials are concerned about the impact of the use of these drugs in the community and the risk they pose to community safety.”
On Jan. 9, members of the Shelburne RCMP Street Crime Enforcement Unit (SCEU) and the Shelburne RCMP searched a home on Bulkley Street. The RCMP say during a search of the residence they located and seized drugs, drug paraphernalia and ammunition.
The RCMP say Joshua Matthew Fitzpatrick was arrested with incident. He has been charged with:
• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Crystal Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Ammunition while Prohibited
• Fail to Comply with a Judge Undertaking – 4 Counts
The RCMP say the accused was already subject to conditions to not be in possession of any ammunition, as well as other court-imposed conditions.
According to the RCMP, Fitzpatrick appeared in Bridgewater Provincial Court on Jan. 10 and was remanded into custody until Jan. 15 in Shelburne.
Asked if it is usual for municipal units to identify priorities they’d like to see the RCMP focus on, RCMP Corporal Jennifer Clarke says, “This happens at every detachment as part of the RCMP's consultation with local governments to identify annual policing priorities.
The RCMP says this particular investigation is ongoing. Cpl. Clarke said if during the investigation is it determined that others are involved in this alleged activity, the RCMP will follow up.
Meanwhile, people are being told that if they have information about drug use in their community to contact the RCMP by calling 1-800-803-RCMP (7267) from anywhere in Nova Scotia. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.
“Our hope is that people are willing to come forward, whether it's by contacting the detachment directly, through Crimestoppers, and of course they can get in touch via social media,” Cpl. Clarke says.
