Seventeen people have been charged with drug trafficking as a result of Project Beehive, an RCMP investigation into illegal drug activity in central Labrador.
The eleven month investigation focused on drug trafficking between the communities of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Sheshatshiu,
The drug bust resulted in the seizure of a quantity of Nitazene tablets – a highly toxic synthetic opioid, believed to be 25 times more potent than fentanyl. It’s believed to be the first such seizure of the drug in this province.
Superintendent Stefan Thoms says illegal drug activity has had devastating impacts on the community and throughout the province.
“These substances can be linked to a number of drug overdoses and fatalities which is certainly a source of devastation to those who are left behind and the community at large. Additionally, the presence of drugs within any community is directly linked with crime rates, drug addictions and mental health issues.”
Also seized were a quantity of crack cocaine, 200 grams of cocaine, methamphetamine tablets and crystal, morphine tablets, 17 grams of heroin, LSD, methadone, brass knuckles and about $10,000 in cash.
Those arrested and charged include:
Kristopher Bird, age 26, of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
Five counts of trafficking cocaine
One count of possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine
One count of possession for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine
Matthew Blake, age 27, of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
Two counts of trafficking morphine
One count of trafficking N-Pyrrolidino Protonitazene (Nitazene)
One count of trafficking methadone
One count of trafficking LSD (acid)
Tia Bourque, age 29, of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
Six counts of trafficking cocaine
Curtis Coombs, age 32, of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
Three counts of trafficking cocaine
Keith Learning, age 35, of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
One count of trafficking cocaine
Jody Blake, age 51, of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
Two counts of trafficking cocaine
One count of trafficking LSD (acid)
Corey Everard, age 52, of Happy Valley- Goose Bay.
Three counts of trafficking cocaine
Jeremy Andrew, age 39, of Sheshatshiu.
Three counts of trafficking cocaine
One count of possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine
Davianna Gregoire, age 21, of Sheshatshiu.
One count of possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine
More Arrests Pending
Arrest warrants have also been issued for eight other people. With further arrests and charges pending.
Those being sought under arrest warrants include:
Clinton Simms, age 29, of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
Two counts of trafficking cocaine
One count of trafficking morphine
William Obed, age 30, of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
One count of trafficking cocaine
Scott Morrissey, age 44, of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
One count of trafficking cocaine
Selena Montague, age 49, of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
One count of trafficking cocaine
Shinapest Penunsi, age 26, of Sheshatshiu.
One count of possession for the purpose of trafficking
Mario Penunsi, age 24, of Sheshatshiu.
One count of possession for the purpose of trafficking
Jasmine Gregoire, age 22, of Natuashish.
One count of trafficking cocaine
Jobe Michellin, age 34, of Rigolet.
Three counts of trafficking cocaine
