BUDLEDEC FIRST NATION, NS – A recent RCMP raid on a cannabis shop located on Budledec First Nation has led to protests and calls for a re-evaluation of cannabis regulations, according to a CBC News broadcast Monday evening.

Police executed a search warrant on Thursday, seizing cannabis products and arresting two individuals. Residents described the RCMP’s actions, which reportedly involved drawn firearms and shouting, as traumatizing.

Kenny Basque, who was present during the raid, stated he felt like a criminal and asserted he was exercising his treaty rights. He confirmed the cannabis shop has reopened, but described Thursday as a day he won’t soon forget.

According to a band councillor interviewed on the CBC broadcast, the RCMP had been building trust with Budledec in recent years, but this raid has significantly damaged that relationship.

Nova Scotia’s Justice Minister stated the province supports regulated dispensaries in First Nations communities where profits benefit the entire community, but expressed concern about unregulated operations and the unknown quality of their products. The Minister also confirmed the province is willing to meet with representatives from First Nations communities, while maintaining that the Cannabis Act and Cannabis Control Act are currently the law of the land.

Separate Investigation: Car Export Businesses Linked to Vehicle Theft

The CBC News broadcast also featured a report on a surge in car thefts in Montreal, linked to car export businesses. An investigation revealed that numerous warehouses are being used to store stolen vehicles before they are shipped overseas.

According to police documents, a warehouse in Saint Laurent, ostensibly for mattress storage, was found to be a hub for an organized criminal group shipping stolen cars. Investigators reportedly observed over 30 stolen vehicles being loaded onto containers at the location.

Albert Chiyoyo, owner of Albert Logistik and a new company called C&N Matla Express, is reportedly linked to the warehouse, though he has not been charged with any crime. Freight forwarders interviewed by CBC News stated Montreal is a haven for exporters shipping stolen cars, often offering high prices for shipments.

CBC News chose not to name the companies involved in shipping stolen cars to protect its sources, who feared reprisals. A man who had his car stolen, allegedly by the network linked to Chiyoyo, also expressed fear of reprisal.

Prosecutors in Quebec indicated further updates on the police investigation are expected in the coming months.