Man charged for allegedly cutting fibre cable between N.S., Newfoundland

A subsea cable, shown in this handout photo, was severed on Dec. 24, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO — Bell

A Nova Scotia man has been charged for allegedly severing a fibre cable between the province and Newfoundland last Christmas.

RCMP responded to a report of a damaged undersea cable off the coast of Aspy Bay in Cape Breton on Dec. 24, 2024.

Police say the fibre-optic cable, part of the telecommunications infrastructure connecting Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, had been severed.

Jamie Lee Burton, 33, of Ingonish was arrested last Wednesday and charged with mischief over $5,000.

Investigators also executed a search warrant on a vessel moored at a wharf in Ingonish, about 40 kilometres away from Aspy Bay.

Police say they seized electronic equipment and other items that support the mischief charge.

The RCMP collaborated with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) fishery officers throughout the investigation, which the force says was complex.

“In part because of the difficulties in establishing or attending the scene of the crime,” says Cpl. Cory Stead, a detachment supervisor with the Ingonish Beach RCMP.

“Partnerships with DFO fishery officers and with the Bell Canada team that repaired the cut cable were an important part of collecting information and evidence.”

Police add the incident was not associated to national security concerns or an attempt to impact essential infrastructure.

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