SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Residents in Summerside’s downtown were awoken early Tuesday morning by the sound of tear gas grenades going off as police raided a home on North Market Street.
The Prince District Joint Force Operations Unit (JFO) later announced that it seized crystal methamphetamine, hydromorphine, a .22 calibre rifle with a loaded magazine (which was not in the weapon), brass knuckles and more than 20 knives and machetes.
Several roads were shut down temporarily around 5:30 a.m. while the warrant was being executed. Traffic was routed around the scene.
“A lot of cop cars and a lot of people,” observed one neighbour as they watching the scene unfold from their deck.
A number of police officers, including a forensic unit, were still on the scene well into Tuesday morning.
RCMP Cpl. Nick Doyle said a man and woman were taken into custody. The woman was released without charges while the man was held and will face drug and firearm charges.
Doyle also said the initial search warrant for the house was related to alleged firearm offences.
He noted that crystal methamphetamine continues to be a developing problem in the community.
“There’s an increase in methamphetamine (prevalence) in P.E.I. and obviously in Prince District and Summerside we’re noticing,” said Doyle.
The JFO is comprised of RCMP, Summerside and Kensington police officers. The RCMP Emergency Response Team from New Brunswick also participated in this seizure.
