A 28-year-old man from Prince William, north of Fredericton, is facing further charges related to an ongoing drug investigation in the community, the RCMP announced in a media release on Sept. 28.
Christopher Isaiah Eatmon — remanded to custody and charged with trafficking methamphetamine in Fredericton provincial court on May 13, 2021 — pleaded guilty to the charges a year later on May 18, 2022.
The court sentenced Eatmon to two years in jail.
On Sept. 28, 2022, Eatmon returned to Fredericton provincial court to face several new charges, as follows:
— Conspiring to produce a substance included in Schedule I of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA)
— Production of a substance included in Schedule I of the CDSA
— Conspiring to traffic isotonitazene
— Possession for the purpose of trafficking isotonitazene
The court remanded Eatmon into custody and scheduled his return to court on Sept. 29, at 1:30 p.m., for a bail hearing.
In its media release, the RCMP said the New Brunswick RCMP’s Federal Serious and Organized Crime unit (FSOC) began investigating the trafficking of illegal drugs in the Prince William area.in May 2021.
On May 13, 2021, FSOC members, with the assistance of the New Brunswick RCMP Provincial Crime Reduction Unit (PCRU), executed a search warrant at a residence on Pokiok Settlement Road in connection with the investigation.
During the search, police seized quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, hydromorphone pills, marijuana, several electronic devices, chemicals, and drug trafficking paraphernalia. Police arrested a then 26-year-old man at the scene.
Police said a further investigation provided evidence of importing illegal chemicals used to manufacture drugs into Canada.
The RCMP release said the FSOC unit investigation covers a broad mandate of federal investigations. These include securing Canada’s borders, investigating criminality related to national security, serious and organized crime, financial crime, high-level drug enforcement, ensuring the safety of critical infrastructure, as well as enforcing federal laws within New Brunswick.
The release explained that in recent years, a number of synthetic opioids called ”Shady 8”, or Dilaudid 8, have emerged in the drug supply in New Brunswick.
The RCMP said such opioids are a serious concern to our communities and are highly addictive. They can cause serious health concerns, including death, and can decrease the effectiveness for Naloxone to work in counteracting overdoses from these drugs.
The RCMP release includes a reminder of the essential public role in helping to reduce, prevent and solve crime, including the trafficking of illegal drugs.
Police ask anyone with information about, or who suspects, illegal drug activity in their neighbourhood to contact their local police.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App, or by Secure Web Tips at www.crimenb.ca.
The investigation is ongoing.
