According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, 2022), there are many key indicators of human trafficking, and identifying victims and can help save a life. Some common indicators to help recognize human trafficking are the following:
Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations, or houses of worship?
Has a child stopped attending school?
Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior?
Is a juvenile engaged in commercial sex acts?
Is the person disoriented or confused, or showing signs of mental or physical abuse?
Does the person have bruises in various stages of healing?
Is the person fearful, timid, or submissive?
Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep, or medical care?
Is the person often in the company of someone to whom he or she defers? Or someone who seems to be in control of the situation, e.g., where they go or who they talk to?
Does the person appear to be coached on what to say?
Is the person living in unsuitable conditions?
Does the person lack personal possessions and appear not to have a stable living situation?
Does the person have freedom of movement? Can the person freely leave where they live? Are there unreasonable security measures?
Cumberland County District RCMP warns about dangers of illicit drugs following suspected overdoses
December 8, 2023, Springhill, Nova Scotia… Cumberland County District RCMP is warning the public of the dangers associated with illicit drug use following two suspected overdoses this morning in Cumberland County.
Today, at approximately 10:41 and 10:45, RCMP officers assisted EHS at two separate residences in Springhill.
Upon arrival at the first residence, a 31-year old man was located deceased. At the second home, a 35-year-old man was pronounced deceased. At one scene, officers seized a small quantity of unknown substances in pill and powder form and drug paraphernalia.
Street drugs often contain unknown substances and may be of various strengths or dosage. If you suspect an overdose or see someone in medical distress, call 911 immediately.
Common signs of a drug overdose could include:
Slow or absent breathing
Blue or grey lips and fingers
Dizziness and confusion
Severe drowsiness or inability to wake a person up
Snoring, choking or gurgling noises
Naloxone is a temporary antidote for opioid overdoses that buys time to seek medical assistance, but it doesn’t replace medical treatment. If not taken to hospital, an overdose victim can fall back into the overdose within 30 minutes. Naloxone kits are available free of charge through the Nova Scotia Take Home Naloxone Program; information on this program and where to obtain a kit is available at: http://www.nsnaloxone.com.
The investigations into these suspected overdoes is in the early stages and Cumberland County District RCMP is appealing for information. Anyone with details about these incidents, or the distribution of illicit drugs in the community, is asked to contact the Cumberland County District RCMP at 902-597-3779. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.
Our thoughts are with the victims’ families at this difficult time.
On 2023-12-06, Tantallon RCMP received a complaint of a stolen 2016-14ft Forest River enclosed trailer. Trailer was taken from Lucasville Rd. around 01:30 Hours. The trailer has a NS plate T407163.
Anyone with any information about this theft can call Halifax District RCMP at 902 490 5020. Anonymous tips about this crime or any other crimes can be submitted via the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or via phone at 1 800 222 8477 ( TIPS) or via the P3 app.
On December 1, 2023 an owner reported that his white 2007 Cherokee travel trailer had been stolen from his residential property located on Hwy 12, Murphy Lake, Nova Scotia.
Anyone with any information about this crime or any other crime can call Kingston RCMP at: 902 765-3317 or can report anonymously at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or call 1 800 222 8477(TIPS) or via the P3 app.
December 3, 2023, Aylesford, Nova Scotia… Kings District RCMP is investigating two robberies that occurred yesterday morning in the Annapolis Valley.
On December 2, at 10:16 a.m., RCMP officers responded to a report of a robbery at a convenience store on Hwy. 1 in Aylesford. Officers learned that a man had entered the store, demanded money, and caused property damage before fleeing the scene.
A short time later, at 10:44 a.m., RCMP officers responded to another robbery at a pharmacy on Commercial St. in Berwick. A man fled that location with lottery tickets and cigarettes.
In both incidents, the lone male suspect was wearing a black hoodie with white lettering, black jeans and a black motorcycle helmet with a tinted visor. He left both the convenience store and the pharmacy on a black and red motorbike.
No weapons were seen during the robberies and no injuries were reported.
The Nova Scotia RCMP’s General Investigation Section, Police Dog Services and Forensic Identification Services attended and processed both robbery scenes. The investigations are ongoing.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact the Kings District RCMP at 902-765-3317. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.
November 30, 2023, Comeauville, Nova Scotia…Meteghan and Digby RCMP are investigating a rash of break-ins, targeting businesses, that have occurred in Digby County.
Between November 11 and November 28, 2023, Meteghan and Digby RCMP have responded to 11 reports of break-ins, or attempted break-ins, to businesses in the communities of Comeauville, Meteghan Centre, Saulnierville and Weymouth. The targeted businesses have included grocery stores and hardware stores. Some businesses have been broken-into on more than one occasion as well.
RCMP investigators have determined that all of the break-ins have occurred during overnight hours.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Meteghan RCMP at 902-645-2326 or Digby RCMP at 902-245-2579. If you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.
Police are investigating human remains that were found in Halifax yesterday.
At approximately 3 p.m. police received a report of what was believed to be human remains in a wooded area near the 2200 block of Purcells Cove Road. Officers located the remains at that location and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service has confirmed them to be human. At this time, the remains have not been positively identified.
Investigators from the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division are investigating and as the investigation is in the early stages no further information is available at this time.
Investigators are asking anyone with information in relation to the remains to call police at 902-490-5020. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or via the P3 Tips App.
Police are investigating a break and enter where a firearm was stolen earlier this month in Halifax.
On November 16 police received a report of a break and enter that had occurred at an apartment building in the 6100 block of Young Street in Halifax. A firearm and ammunition were stolen from a storage room in the building. It is believed that the theft occurred in the evening of November 14.
Investigators are looking for a suspect who is described as a white man in his 20s to 30s, approximately 5’9” tall with a medium build. The suspect was wearing a black and grey plaid jacket, a grey hooded sweatshirt, a grey toque and black pants.
Anyone with information or video from the area in relation to the incidents is asked to call police at 902-490-5020. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or by using the P3 Tips app.
UPDATE: Suspicious disappearance now being investigated as a homicide
November 29, 2023, Big Bras D’Or, Nova Scotia…The Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit is investigating the suspicious disappearance of a woman in Big Bras D’Or as a homicide.
On November 22, 2023, Victoria County District RCMP responded to a report of a possible homicide at a home on Old Route 5 in Big Bras D’Or. RCMP officers learned that Natacha Leroy, 48, had disappeared and the circumstances around her disappearance were suspicious. The home on Old Route 5 was secured by RCMP and Cape Breton Regional Police officers. The Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit has taken carriage of the investigation.
On November 24, human remains were found in Big Bras D’Or by RCMP Police Dog Services. The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the death a homicide and, on November 29, the remains were confirmed to be those of Natasha Leroy.
The Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit is continuing to liaise with Natacha’s family and supports are being offered.
The investigation is continuing and is being supported by the Cape Breton Regional Police Service, RCMP Forensic Identification Services, the Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit and the Victoria County District RCMP Unit.
The Northeast Nova Major Crime Unit is asking anyone who has information about this incident to contact them at 902-896-5060. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.
File #: 2023-1717972
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November 24, 2023, Big Bras D’Or, Nova Scotia…The Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit is investigating the suspicious disappearance of a woman in Big Bras D’Or.
On November 22, 2023, Victoria County District RCMP responded to a report of a possible homicide at a home on Old Route 5 in Big Bras D’Or. RCMP officers learned that Natacha Leroy, 48, had disappeared and, the circumstances around her disappearance were suspicious. The home on Old Route 5 was secured by RCMP and Cape Breton Regional Police officers. The Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit has taken carriage of the investigation.
Over the last two days, Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime, working in partnership with the Cape Breton Regional Police Major Crime Unit, has been gathering information and evidence as part of the investigation. A search warrant is currently being executed at the home on Old Route 5.
The Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit is in contact with Natacha’s family and supports are being offered.
The investigation is continuing and is being supported by the Cape Breton Regional Police Service, RCMP Forensic Identification Services, the Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit and the Victoria County District RCMP Unit.
The Northeast Nova Major Crime Unit is asking anyone who has information about this incident to contact them at 902-896-5060. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.
