RCMP have released details on what’s being called the largest ever seizure of cocaine and contraband tobacco in the province, with a total value of drugs and items seized at close to $5 million.

Project Bourbon was launched in February of 2023 and focused on crime groups who were trafficking cocaine from British Columbia, and contraband tobacco from Ontario, into Newfoundland and Labrador.

One person was arrested on Sept. 19 in the parking lot of a business in the Goulds, and searches were conducted at three homes in the metro area: on Cape Pine Street, Thomas Street and Critch’s Path.

On Oct. 9, investigators conducted searches of two properties in the capital city, including a garage and enclosed utility trailer at a home on Calver Avenue, as well as a tractor-trailer at a business on Torbay Road.

Another search was conducted on Oct. 10 at a warehouse on Topsail Road in Mount Pearl.

Among the items seized were 20.5 kilograms of cocaine, with an approximate street value of $1.6 million, 950 cases of contraband tobacco, including 9.5 million cigarettes valued at $2.6 million, and more than $147,000 in cash.

Also seized were a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch valued at $42,7000 and approximately 10,000 methamphetamine pills, known as ICE. Some 2,000 of those pills contain a combination of methamphetamine and MDMA.

A quantity of illicit cannabis, hashish and vials of cannabis oil were also seized, along with two shotguns.

Police also seized a variety of vehicles, including a 2021 BMW X4 SUV, a 2020 GMC Sierra truck, two Chevy Silverados, model years 2014 and 2023, 12-foot enclosed trailer, Toyota forklift, 1996 Freightliner transport tuck and a 2022 Ford F150 stolen from Ontario.

Eight people have been arrested at this stage in the investigation with formal charges expected to be sworn early in the new year.