Drugs and police badge seized during traffic stop in Nova Scotia, 3 people arrested and charged; probe on

At least three people were arrested and charged after police seized methamphetamine, unstamped tobacco, and a wallet containing a police badge during a proactive traffic stop in Springhill, Nova Scotia, on Wednesday (March 4, 2026). The wallet with badge and identification had been reported missing.

The three occupants of the vehicle, who are all from Amherst, were Cody Cottenden, 35, Vincent Mallory, 40, and Samuel Moase, 29, the Nova Scotia RCMP said in a news release on Friday (March 6, 2026). They were “safely arrested.”

Each occupant was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, and possession of police articles under the Nova Scotia Police Identity Management Act.

In the news release, Nova Scotia RCMP also stated that a police officer on patrol observed a truck with different front and back out-of-province license plates on Wednesday. “An officer with Nova Scotia RCMP Northwest Traffic Services subsequently conducted a traffic stop with the truck on Lisgar St. and observed unstamped tobacco in plain view on the dash of the vehicle,” the release said.

Officers from the Cumberland County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit (SCEU) assist with a search of the vehicle, a black Ford F150. During the search, officers located more packaged, unstamped tobacco and a duffle bag that contained a quantity of crystal methamphetamine, other items that support drug trafficking, and a wallet containing an RCMP badge and other identification, the RCMP release stated. Checks showed that the badge had been previously reported missing in New Brunswick.

Three occupants appeared in court

Cottenden, Mallory, and Moase appeared in court Thursday. Mallory was released on conditions pending a future court appearance. Cottenden and Moase are being held in custody until they appear on Monday. The investigation is ongoing.

What does Nova Scotia Police Identity Management Act say?

Under the Nova Scotia Police Identity Management Act, it is an offence to possess police uniforms or articles, including badges and other identification, for anyone who is not a police officer. At this time, investigators do not believe that the badge and identification documents were used in impersonation attempts.

However, anyone with concerns about the identity of a police officer can contact their local detachment or police service to determine if there is a police officer at their location. Call 911 in an emergency.