A new police unit has been formed to target the drug trade and organized crime on the west coast of the province.

The announcement was made today in Corner Brook.

Co-operation between the RNC and RCMP on drug investigations is nothing new.

But forming a permanent unit is, with the end goal being better collaboration and sharing of information on a more regular basis, as opposed to one-off operations like Razorback or Battalion.

Justice Minister John Hogan says the new Joint Force Operation West will pull from existing resources, and is not in response to any particular rise in such crimes.

“It’s not an indication that it’s a growing problem,” he said. “But as the officers explained today, crime evolves, the drug trade evolves, organized crime evolves, and this joint task force will be able to work together to stay on top of that.”

The new JFO West is expected to begin its work next month, reporting to a joint management team for strategic and operational direction.