RCMP charge 5 people, seize weapons and drugs in Lake Echo, N.S.

Items seized during an RCMP search at a home in Lake Echo, N.S., including a gun, magazine, ammunition and cash are pictured. (Source: RCMP)

Halifax RCMP has charged five people after seizing firearms and drugs during a search at a home in Lake Echo, N.S., on July 4.

Police charged Joseph Andrew Fitzgerald, 51, of Lake Echo; Cheray Shedrick, 35, of Sipekne’katik; Samantha Jeane Forbes, 34, of Newport; Richard Douglas Ruth, 48, of Porters Lake; and Norman Blair Philpitt, 58, of Lake Echo with:

• possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
• unsafe storage of firearm
• unauthorized possession of a firearm
• unauthorized possession of prohibited weapon or restricted weapon
• possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition
• possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized
• possession of a prohibited weapon, device or ammunition knowing its possession is unauthorized
• possession of a weapon obtained by commission of offence
• possession of property obtained by crime (over $5,000)
• laundering proceeds of crime
• possession for the purpose of trafficking

Fitzgerald has also been charged with three counts of possession contrary to order and three counts of failure to comply with order. Shedrick has been charged with four counts of failure to comply with order.

The five people were arrested when RCMP executed the search warrant on Snow White Drive as part of an ongoing drug trafficking and firearms investigation, said a news release.

During the search, officers seized:

• a .223 calibre assault-style rifle loaded with a high-capacity magazine
• ammunition
• three replica handguns
• a quantity of cocaine
• narcotic prescription pills
• dried cannabis
• a Dodge Ram 1500 that had been reported stolen

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