N.B. RCMP seizes 26 stolen vehicles, 1kg of cocaine from Moncton residence

The New Brunswick RCMP seized 26 stolen vehicles from a Ronald Avenue property. (Source: RCMP)

A 55-year-old Moncton man is facing dozens of charges following a massive police seizure of stolen vehicles, firearms and one kilogram of what was believed to be cocaine last week.

The Codiac RCMP says it launched an investigation into stolen property in the Greater Moncton area last January. They executed a search warrant at a Ronald Avenue property around 5 a.m. on June 2, according to a news release.

During the search, police worked with members of the Moncton Fire Department, the New Brunswick SPCA, NB Power and the Department of Environment.

Along with the kilogram of suspected cocaine, officers seized:

• 26 stolen vehicles
• 13 firearms
• four prohibited firearms
• Canadian currency

“A 55-year-old man from Moncton was arrested at the scene and sustained minor injuries during his arrest,” the release reads. “He was transported and treated in hospital. The Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) has been engaged and is reviewing the incident.”

Kevin Trites appeared in Moncton provincial court to face four counts of possession of property obtained by crime before he was remanded into custody.

He returned to court last Friday to face 38 additional charges, including:

• 25 counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• four counts of weapons possession contrary to a court order and fail to surrender authorization
• three counts of possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose
• trafficking in property obtained by crime over $5,000
• unauthorized possession of a firearm
• unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon
• unsafe storage of a firearm
• possession of a firearm when knowing possession is unauthorized
• possession of a prohibited weapon when knowing possession is unauthorized

Trites is scheduled to have a bail hearing on Thursday.

“This file will undoubtedly be one of the largest seizures of stolen property and one of the most complex investigations Codiac has ever undertaken,” said staff sergeant Nicolas Potvin with the Codiac Regional RCMP in the release. “There has been tremendous work on this file over the past few months, with multiple units responding efficiently and working seamlessly together.

“The search warrant alone took three days to complete, and we are extremely pleased with the results.”

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