Millions in Atlantic lobster, criminal fraud, and three small-town Nova Scotians.
They're elements of a story that just don't come together often. Well, in this case they have, and they've kept the RCMP – and a legion of other government bodies – busy investigating since back in 2015. Now, Mounties have finally charged three suspects, though revealing only scant details about the international scheme that reportedly involved over $3 million dollars worth of lobster.
As reported by The Canadian Press, the investigation was prompted by allegations, made in July, 2015, that a man had defrauded a lobster company out of Shelbourne County of $175,000 the previous year.
This in turn led the investigators to consider a series of frauds allegedly committed against various lobster companies in the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 seasons. Among them were local companies – from Barrington, Clark's Harbour, and Shelbourne County – as well as a Taiwanese outfit. In 2015-2016 alone, these companies reported being defrauded of about $2.5 million, cumulatively.
How exactly the suspects carried out the scheme was not discussed. From a statement by the RCMP's Supt. Martin Marin, we know only that the men "were running a complex and sophisticated operation that required extensive police resources and expertise to investigate". Marin further commented that "[t]he outcome of this investigation is significant as those charged had substantial reach and influence on the local, national and international seafood market."
In recent years, the lobster market has grown, proving very lucrative for those lucky enough to secure licenses. Not lucrative enough for everyone, it seems.
At the center of all this is the small village of Shag Harbour, Nova Scotia, home to roughly 450 people. At least until now, it was best known for a famous 1967 UFO sighting in which the RCMP was called in on reports of a strange crashed aircraft at sea. Extensive searches yielded nothing – except for several documentaries, at least one book, the annual (and recently revamped!) Shag Harbour UFO Festival, and a local museum enshrining the memory.
This time, 50 years later, the RCMP got what they came for. On Wednesday, the three suspects were arrested. To be clear, none of the alleged crimes have been proven. For more details, we'll have to be patient. Prosecutors and the three suspects will be back in court on August 24.
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