RCMP today outlined the results of Operation Barcode, a massive investigation into organized crime in the Clarenville area.
Five search warrants were executed last Friday, August 9th, at properties in Bunyan’s Cove, Bloomfield, Terra Nova and Charlottetown, Bonavista Bay, resulting in five arrests, although charges have yet to be laid.
The 11-month investigation led to the seizure of 1,600 grams of cocaine, more than 15,000 prescription pills, 12 firearms with ammunition, 355 cases of contraband tobacco, more than 3.5 million contraband cigarettes, 400 grams of hashish, seven bottles of hash oil, illicit cannabis and alcohol, three pickup trucks and other property, including two, 20-foot enclosed utility trailers.
Some 15,000 pills, a majority of which are believed to contain fentanyl, were also seized and are now being analyzed, according to RCMP Supt. Keith MacKinnon.
“We typically send them away for the RCMP drug lab to conduct the analysis,” he told reporters from the RCMP detachment in Clarenville.
“Given the size, shape and markings on the pills, we believe that there is a significant number that contain fentanyl, but it’s too premature to speculate on how much there is in each pill. We have to wait for that analysis to come back.”
The five people arrested have been released from custody with charges forthcoming. MacKinnon said it’s too early to say whether there will be additional arrests and charges.
“There’s always potential for more arrests as the investigation unfolds, there were five arrests so far, and I can’t really comment further on that. I don’t want to jeopardize the ongoing investigation, but there are five so far.”