July 24, 2025, Eskasoni, Nova Scotia… Eskasoni RCMP has charged three men after executing a search warrant in Eskasoni.
On July 22, Eskasoni RCMP officers, with assistance of the Inverness-Richmond Street Crime Enforcement Unit, searched an illegal cannabis storefront on Crane Cove Rd. in Eskasoni. Officers safely arrested three men and seized a quantity of illegal cannabis, cash and unstamped tobacco.
Two of the men, Ashton Joseph Bernard, 35, and Hugh Paul, 26, both of Eskasoni, are facing a charge under the Cannabis Act related to the possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling. Officers determined the third man on scene was not related to the operation of the storefront and was released without charge.
Later, twenty-six-year-old Arden Joseph Bernard of Eskasoni turned himself in at the Eskasoni RCMP Detachment and is also facing a charge under the Cannabis Act related to possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling.
Ashton Bernard, Paul and Arden Bernard were released on an Undertaking and are scheduled to appear in Sydney Provincial Court on September 2.
The investigation is ongoing and is being led by the Eskasoni RCMP’s General Investigation Section with assistance of Criminal Intelligence Service Nova Scotia.
The RCMP reminds residents that the only legal way to purchase cannabis in the province is at licensed locations. Nova Scotians are encouraged to contact their nearest RCMP detachment or local police to report crime, including the illegal sale of drugs, in their communities. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or using the P3 Tips app.
File #: 2025-466739