N.S. RCMP seize 17 long guns, arrest 21 people at illegal cannabis stores

Nova Scotia police seized 18 firearms across multiple stores in February 2025. (Source: RCMP)

More than 20 people are facing dozens of charges after police seized hundreds of kilograms of illegal cannabis and several guns from stores across multiple Nova Scotia counties earlier this month.

Police launched “Project Highfield” last October, according to an RCMP news release. They executed search warrants at 13 illegal storefronts in Kings, Lunenburg, Annapolis and Queens counties from Feb. 4 to 13.

Officers seized:

-141.4 kgs of dried cannabis

-189.29 kgs of cannabis edibles

-18 firearms (17 long guns and one handgun)

-46 kgs of liquid cannabis

-23.4 kgs of hashish

-$16,143.14 in cash

-9.5 kgs of magic mushrooms

-958 cartons of unstamped tobacco

-three ATMs

-seven shed-like structures

Twenty-one people are facing 52 charges under the Cannabis Act, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Excise Act and the Criminal Code, including:

-possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling

-possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition

-unauthorized sale of cannabis

-careless use of a firearm

-possession for the purpose of trafficking (psilocybin)

-possession of unstamped tobacco

The accused will start their court appearances in June.

Police said they expect to make additional arrests in connection with the investigation.

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