Eastern Passage Residents Arrested on Drug and Gun Charges

Two residents of Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia, face serious drug and firearm charges following a police search on Thursday. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) executed a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of Cow Bay Road, leading to the arrests of **Randy Desmond Riley**, aged 34, and **Marrika Michelle Miller**, aged 43.

During the search, officers seized a loaded handgun, cash, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Additionally, two vehicles, a **Jeep Grand Cherokee** and a **Land Rover Discovery**, were confiscated as they were believed to be related to the offenses.

Details of the Charges

Both Riley and Miller have been charged with multiple offenses, including two counts of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking and seven firearm-related offenses. They also face single counts of possessing property valued over **$5,000** obtained through crime and laundering the proceeds of crime. Notably, Riley faces additional charges for possessing a firearm while prohibited.

Miller was granted bail on Friday, while Riley will remain in custody until at least **March 12, 2024**, when he is scheduled for a hearing in **Halifax** bail court. Miller’s charges will be addressed again in **Dartmouth provincial court** on **May 13, 2024**.

Background on Riley’s Legal Troubles

Riley’s recent legal troubles follow a tumultuous history. In **October 2023**, a jury acquitted him of charges related to the **October 23, 2010**, murder of **Donald Chad Smith**, a 27-year-old pizza delivery driver who was shot in the chest after delivering an order in north-end Dartmouth. This marked Riley’s second trial in connection with Smith’s murder.

Initially arrested in **2013**, Riley faced first-degree murder charges alongside another man. He was found guilty of second-degree murder and illegal possession of a firearm in **April 2018**. However, the **Supreme Court of Canada** overturned these convictions in **November 2020**, resulting in a new trial.

During the 2018 trial, the Crown argued that Riley killed Smith in retaliation for a prior assault, claiming that **Nathan Tremaine Johnson** had lured Smith to the scene. Johnson, who was found guilty of first-degree murder in **2015**, testified that he was solely responsible for Smith’s death over a drug debt.

At the **2023 trial**, two witnesses admitted to having lied during the first trial, contributing to the jury’s deliberation, which concluded in just over four hours.

The recent arrests highlight ongoing issues related to drug trafficking and firearm possession in the region, raising concerns within the community. The situation continues to develop as legal proceedings unfold for both Riley and Miller.