RCMP NL seize 20.5kg of cocaine and 950 cases of contraband tobacco, biggest seizure for NL to date

Monday, 4 November 2024 15:41

By Tonya Organ

Multiple other items were seized including over $147K, a Rolex watch, approximately 10,000 methamphetamine (ICE) pills, approximately 2000 of these contained a combination of methamphetamine and MDMA (Ecstasy). 111 pounds of illicit cannabis, 8 kilograms of illicit hashish, and 3,500 vials of cannabis oil.

RCMP Federal Policing and their Project Bourbon has resulted in what is believed to be this province’s largest seizure of cocaine, at 20.5 kg with an estimated street value of $1.6 million, and contraband tobacco with an estimated street value of $2.6 million.

The investigation, which began in February 2023, focused on organized crime groups who were trafficking cocaine from British Columbia and contraband tobacco from Ontario into Newfoundland and Labrador. On September 19th one person was arrested in Goulds. Three homes were searched that evening and the next day in St. John’s. Then, on October 9, 2024, police searched a garage and an enclosed utility trailer on Calver Avenue and a tractor trailer at a commercial property on Torbay Road. On October 10th, a search was conducted at a warehouse in Mount Pearl. Multiple other items were seized including 950 cases of contraband tobacco (9.50 million cigarettes), over $147K, a Rolex watch, approximately 10,000 methamphetamine (ICE) pills, approximately 2000 of these contained a combination of methamphetamine and MDMA (Ecstasy). 111 pounds of illicit cannabis, 8 kilograms of illicit hashish, and 3,500 vials of cannabis oil.

Inspector Dave Emberley says they also seized a stolen vehicle, several other vehicles, a fork lift and a trailer. Emberley says eight people have been arrested so far and face charges in the new year and charges could be laid in other jurisdicttions.