Police say a St. John’s man is facing several charges and two others have charges pending, following a months-long investigation that led to the seizure of contraband cigarettes worth more than $1 million, suspected cocaine, a handgun and other items. Rylie Nightingale, 23, was scheduled to appear in court Friday, according to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC). The province’s police service says this follows an investigation conducted by its Weapons and Drug Enforcement Unit, which involved searches of a home and two vehicles in St. John’s and two storage lockers in Mount Pearl. The RNC Tactics and Rescue Unit, with help from RCMP’s Emergency Response Team, “contained and cleared” the properties late Thursday afternoon, police said in a news release. They say officers arrested Nightingale and two other men at a service station in Mount Pearl without incident, after a three-month-long investigation. Police say they seized 12,100 cartons of contraband cigarettes “with a street value of over $1 million,” as well as five kilograms of suspected cocaine, 23 kg of hash and 12 kg of illicit pills, believed to be ecstasy and MDMA. The RNC says 184 pounds of cannabis, vapes and gummies, a revolver, ammunition, brass knuckles, $17,290 cash and other drug paraphernalia were also seized following the property searches. While the two other men were released with charges pending, police say Nightingale was charged with careless use of firearm, possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose, two counts of unauthorized possession of a restricted or prohibited weapon and trafficking of controlled substances. Other charges against him include possession for the purpose of trafficking, unsafe storage of a firearm, two counts of possession of a weapon knowing its unauthorized, possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition and possession of a weapon obtained by commission of offence. The RNC says the investigation is ongoing, adding that it is “dedicated to the removal of illegal weapons and drugs” from communities. It’s asking anyone with information that could help in the investigation to call police at 709-729-8000. People can report what they know anonymously to Newfoundland and Labrador Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online.
