Canadian Police Dispute Claims that Unlicensed Dispensaries Participate in Gun and Human Trafficking
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is disputing recent claims made by a Nova Scotia government official that unlicensed cannabis dispensaries are selling firearms and participating in human trafficking, the Toronto Star reports. During a legislative meeting last month, Minister of L’nu Affairs Leah Martin alleged that during crackdowns on illegal dispensaries run by First Nation members, police found “some that sell guns, some that sell mushrooms, some that sell cocaine, women.”
Nova Scotia’s Premier has also previously alleged that fentanyl was discovered in unregulated cannabis, while Justice Minister Scott Armstrong has also claimed a link between unregulated cannabis and human trafficking.
Nova Scotia RCMP spokesperson Allison Gerrard, when asked specifically about Martin’s comments, told the Star that investigators have uncovered “other illicit items” while conducting searches of unlicensed dispensaries, including psilocybin mushrooms and cocaine, and that during the searches, 18 firearms were seized, but “there’s no evidence to support charges related to firearms trafficking.”
“The Nova Scotia RCMP isn’t aware of any evidence showing a direct connection between human trafficking and illegal cannabis markets, but both crimes can coexist. That means overlap is possible, even if not documented today.” — Gerrard to the Star
Halifax Regional Police (HRO) spokesperson Cst. Martin Cromwell also told the Star that during their searches of unlicensed dispensaries, they had uncovered mushrooms and a personal amount of cocaine but that “Human trafficking and firearms have not been linked to any investigation or enforcement HRP has been involved in.”
In an interview with the Star, Martin did not offer further evidence for her comments but said she is in “constant” contact with Mi’kmaq communities and regularly hears from individuals and groups during confidential discussions in which safety concerns are raised.