A man is in custody facing a handful of charges including drug trafficking, in which he was targeting the homeless in the Lower Sackville area.

RCMP say in December, they learned he was selling drugs in exchange for cash or items such as gift cards from a camper on Cobequid Rd.

The 56-year-old was arrested Friday morning after his camper and Ford pickup truck were searched.

RCMP found and seized items such as cocaine, pills (suspected opioids), a conducted energy weapon, a crossbow, replica firearms (.357 caliber revolver and a break-barrel air rifle), ammunition, sensory irritant, cash, gift cards and unstamped tobacco.

The man is being held in custody and will appear in Halifax Provincial Court later today to face numerous charges including, but not limited, to:

• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
• Possession of a Prohibited Weapon Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized (two counts)
• Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
• Possession of a Weapon Obtained by the Commission of an Offence

“It’s alarming that the accused targeted vulnerable unhoused people,” says Inspector Cory Bushell, Operations Officer East, Halifax District RCMP. “Our officers will continue to work with partners to help promote the safety of people experiencing homelessness in this area.”

The investigation remains ongoing.