Halifax musicians say U.S. traffic stop led to drug search, questions about allegiance

Cassie and Maggie MacDonald, a folk music duo based in Halifax, had a strange encounter with police while driving through Ohio earlier this month. The sisters were on a phone call with their mother discussing their tour when they noticed a police cruiser following them for half an hour. Eventually, a second cruiser joined in and activated its emergency lights, prompting the duo to pull over.

Upon being pulled over, the sisters were accused of having drugs in their rental car and were informed that the vehicle would be searched for narcotics. After an extensive search, which yielded no drugs, the officers separated Cassie and Maggie for questioning.

During the interrogation, the officers expressed concerns about fentanyl coming from Canada and questioned the sisters about their allegiance to either Canada or America. Cassie recalled feeling as though she was being tested when asked which country she preferred. Despite feeling unwelcome during the interaction, Cassie assured the officer of their love for America, citing their close ties to the country through touring and family.

The entire ordeal lasted about 45 minutes, during which the sisters were issued a warning for distracted driving due to passing their phone back and forth while on speaker mode. Despite feeling shaken by the encounter, Cassie and Maggie remain determined to continue touring in the U.S., as they believe that performing and sharing their music is the best remedy for the situation.

This incident marks the first time the duo has experienced such tension while touring in the U.S., as their previous trips in December went smoothly. Despite the unsettling encounter, Cassie and Maggie are committed to moving forward and engaging with their fans through their music. The sisters remain optimistic about future tours in the U.S., emphasizing their love for the country and their dedication to sharing their stories and music with audiences.