Three cannabis dispensaries on Millbrook First Nation, N.S., have been raided by the RCMP.

A “significant amount” of cannabis, cannabis products and cash were seized, according to an RCMP release.

The raids were conducted late last week by the Colchester District RCMP Street Crime Enforcement Unit and the General Investigation Section, with support from Millbrook RCMP, Bible Hill RCMP and the Criminal Intelligence Service of Nova Scotia.

“As a result of the unlicensed cannabis storefronts continuing to operate and not voluntarily ceasing operations, police attended the properties and conducted searches of the unlicensed cannabis storefronts under the federal Cannabis Act,” the release states.

Five people were arrested under the Cannabis Act and Excise Act following the raids. They face charges that include distribution of cannabis, sale of unstamped cannabis products and unlawfully selling cannabis.

The investigation is ongoing with additional charges are pending.

The raids were prompted by increasing complaints and concerns about the products being sold, according to the RCMP release. “Our goal is to have the unlicensed storefronts cease operations,” it noted.

Last year, an Indigenous cannabis dispensary in Vernon, B.C., was the target of multiple raids by police.

The shop, Tupa’ s Joint, did not have a provincial licence to sell cannabis, but was opened with support from the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB). The band had passed its own rules, namely the OKIB Cannabis Control Law.

“Our cannabis law [OKIB Cannabis Control Law] supersedes the provincial law. We’re federal, and we’re sovereign, so how we’re going about it is different than anybody else,” shop owner Cory Brewer told APTN after the raid, which resulted in a loss of $10,000 worth of product.

The shop reopened shortly afterward and saw a surge in customers wishing to support the local business.