Police say use of tear gas was 'right deployment' in Charlottetown drug raid

Charlottetown Police say the use of tear gas in a downtown drug raid in Charlottetown Thursday afternoon was the "right deployment" in the situation.

The incident ended with two arrests and the seizure of drugs, cash and weapons, according Charlottetown police. Deputy Chief Brad MacConnell said police had reason to believe there were weapons inside the residence and the use of tear gas was following best practices.

"Tear gas was the right deployment in the situation, certainly the outcome suggests that," Brad MacConnell told CBC News Friday afternoon.

"Everyone walked away from it, no one was injured and everyone was taken into custody without incident."

The suspects were arrested at a residence on Hillsborough Street. Police seized $7,900 in cash as well as 120 grams of crystal meth, about 250 prescription pills, a small amount of cannabis, a replica firearm and machete, and a scale and packaging materials. 

The two suspects, a 27-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man, appeared in court Friday morning and remain in custody.

Their charges include possession for the purpose of trafficking, as well as with possession of a weapon and breach of probation.

Police said there were other residents home at the time of the raid, but they were in a separate area of the building.

"This was done in a very controlled manner and although it seems a little sensational for our Charlottetown environment to experience these things, every precaution and mitigation to ensure public safety was taken in this case," MacConnell said.

The man and woman will appear in provincial court at a later date.

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