Police in Nova Scotia charged three members of the Bacchus Outlaw Motorcycle Group after investigating allegations of using intimidation to control their territory.

On Thursday, several police units searched four locations, including the Bacchus clubhouse in Nine Mile River, N.S. They also searched residences in Dartmouth and Grand Desert.

They say they seized vests displaying Bacchus rocker panels, small quantities of marijuana, steroids, psilocybin (magic mushrooms), a number of computers and cell phones.

In a statement, the RCMP said they charged 45-year-old Patrick James from Dartmouth, 43-year-old Duane Howe from Grand Desert and 38-year-old David Pearce from Dartmouth with uttering threats and intimidation.

"Outlaw Motorcycle Groups like the Bacchus think they control certain areas of our community and that's just not the case," RCMP Supt. John Ferguson said in the press release. "Police are not going to tolerate it, nor are the citizens of Nova Scotia going to allow a group of individuals to conduct criminal activity in our neighbourhoods and then threaten and intimidate people."

"Groups like the Bacchus attempt to portray themselves as simply motorcycle enthusiasts who are unfairly targeted and tainted by the police. Nothing could be further from the truth," he added.

The men appeared in Dartmouth Provincial Court Friday.