Three people are in custody awaiting charges as a result of a major police operation dubbed Project Blowfish.

RCMP say the investigation focused on cocaine and illicit cannabis trafficking as well as the proceeds of crime.

Search warrants were executed on a hotel in the east end of St. John’s as well as a home on Forbes Street.

About 70 lbs of illicit cannabis, with an estimated street value of over $100,000, four kilograms of a cocaine cutting agent, a 2016 Infiniti QX70 SUV, and $78,000 in cash were among the items seized.

The arrests are the latest in a police investigation that resulted in a large seizure of drugs, cash, firearms, body armour and vehicles back in May of 2019.

Current charges include 25-year-old Tyler Butler of St. John’s, 36-year-old Hyeyoung Jeon of South Korea who has a residence in Burnaby, BC and 64-year-old Man Ja Chu of Conquitlam, BC.

RCMP have a news conference scheduled for 2:30 this afternoon. VOCM News will be there.

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Current charges according to the RCMP:

• Tyler Butler, age 25, of St. John’s

o   Trafficking cocaine – Section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

o   Four counts breach of recognizance – Section 145(3) of the Criminal Code

o   Cultivating more than four cannabis plants in a dwelling house –  Section 12(4)(b) of the Cannabis Act

o   Distribution of illegal cannabis – Section 9(1)(a)(iv) of the Cannabis Act

o   Possession of illegal cannabis for the purpose of trafficking – Section 10(2) of the Cannabis Act.

 

• Hyeyoung Jeon, age 36, a South Korean national whose residence is believed to be Burnaby, British Columbia

o   Distribution of illegal cannabis – Section 9(1)(a)(iv) of the Cannabis Act

o   Possession of proceeds of crime – Section 355(a) of the Criminal Code

o   Money laundering – Section 462.31(1)(a) of the Criminal Code

 

• Man Ja Chu, age 64, of Coquitlam, British Columbia

o   Distribution of illegal cannabis and cannabis resin – Section 9(1)(a)(iv) of the Cannabis Act

o   Possession of illegal cannabis and cannabis resin for the purpose of trafficking – Section 10(2) of the Cannabis Act.