Nova Scotia·NewAfter an investigation that took more than a year, RCMP have arrested four men in southwest Nova Scotia who they accuse of drug trafficking and arson, as well as intimidation and making threats.Police say the men operated as a criminal organization and caused fear in the community CBC News · Posted: Nov 20, 2025 5:34 PM EST | Last Updated: 1 hour agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.RCMP formed a task force of approximately 60 members to work on the investigation in southwest Nova Scotia called Project Hammertime. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)After an investigation that took more than a year, RCMP have arrested four men in southwest Nova Scotia who they accuse of drug trafficking and arson, as well as intimidation and making threats.All four were arrested in Digby County on Wednesday, when police searched multiple locations in Church Point and another in Belliveau Cove.In a news release Thursday, police said they seized drugs and drug paraphernalia, digital scales, electronic devices, cash and financial documents.The arrests were made by the southwest Nova street crime enforcement unit as part of an 13-month investigation called Project Hammertime.“These individuals, through their criminal activities and intimidation tactics, behaved like they owned Clare,” Supt. Jason Popik of Southwest Nova District RCMP said in the release.“We recognize the disruption they’ve caused to the surrounding community and are pleased to be moving forward with these charges.”RCMP Sgt. Jeff LeBlanc, commander of the Meteghan detachment, said he appealed to the federal government for extra resources to investigate an alarming rise in violence in the Clare area, some of which was linked to the lobster fishing industry.“In our particular area, seafood is profitable and it’s difficult to trace. So it’s an easy means,” Leblanc said.Over the past 18 months, a string of violent crimes including arson, shootings and cases of intimidation have rocked residents of small coastal towns.Victims were fearful to come forward to help police, LeBlanc said, worried they would be targeted next.Town hall meetingA task force was formed to carry out an in-depth investigation with a team of about 60 members.Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Criminal Intelligence Service of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources contributed to the investigation.“It is totally that support that brings us here today with these charges,” LeBlanc said Thursday.Considering the effect the alleged crimes have had on communities, police held a town hall meeting in the area on Wednesday evening to let people know they had made arrests.“[Residents] were very receptive and hopeful that we are continuing on a path where we can bring the community back to what it was,” LeBlanc said.LeBlanc named Eric David Thibault, 66, of Church Point as the “ringleader” of an organized crime group in the area.Thibault faces a number of drug-trafficking charges involving cocaine, and others such as arson for a fraudulent purpose, intimidation and dangerous driving.He’s also facing several Fisheries Act charges for fishing lobster during a closed season without a licence, and selling lobster caught in contravention of the Act.Thibault was previously charged with multiple counts of intimidation. He appeared in Annapolis Royal provincial court on Thursday. He remains in custody.3 others chargedThree others have been charged in relation to the investigation. A 55-year-old man from Church Point is facing several charges related to cocaine trafficking, firearms offences and possession of property obtained by crime.A 60-year-old man from Meteghan has been charged with arson and conspiracy to commit arson. A 33-year-old man from Church Point has also been arrested and will face one charge of extortion.Police say their investigation continues and are asking anyone with information to come forward.MORE TOP STORIESWith files from Krista Hessey
4 men who behaved like they owned Clare’ arrested after 13-month investigation
