56 charges laid after Pictou drug bust leads to seizure of firearms
Posted May 1, 2025 05:15:45 AM.
Last Updated May 1, 2025 11:19:52 AM.
Four people are facing a combined 56 charges after police seized drugs, firearms and ammunition during a search at a home in Pictou, N.S.
The Pictou County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant at a residence on Gill Court on April 24, as part of an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking and firearms offences.
Police say five people were arrested at the scene. A quantity of heroin, prescription pills, and trace amounts of other drugs were seized, along with a handgun, a sawed-off shotgun, and ammunition.
Jamie Lee Jackson, 42, of Stellarton, Joseph Spears, 50, of Pictou, Kelsy Whytewood, 30, of River John, and Jessica Lindblad, 29, of MacLellan’s Brook, are each charged with possession of heroin and codeine for the purpose of trafficking, several firearms-related offences, and possession of property obtained by crime. Each individual is also facing multiple additional charges.
Jackson, Spears and Whytewood appeared in Pictou Provincial Court on April 25 and were remanded into custody. Lindblad was released with a court appearance scheduled for July 7.
Police say the fifth person arrested was released without charges.
Multiple units assisted with the operation, including RCMP Emergency Response and Critical Incident Command teams, as well as officers from Antigonish and Guysborough Counties.
The enforcement unit includes members from the Pictou County District RCMP, Westville Police Service and Stellarton Police Service.
