RCMP say their most recent bust put a significant dent in the street-level drug trade in parts of Labrador.
But they’re also troubled by the more dangerous drugs they’re seeing and seizing.
Project Beehive yielded charges against 17 people, aged 21 to 52, each accused of pushing drugs between Goose Bay to Sheshatshiu.
Police seized quantities of cocaine, morphine, methamphetamine, heroin, LSD, as well as Nitazene, a toxic opioid made to look like Ocycodone, and 25 times more potent than fentanyl.
Nitazene (Photo via RCMP)
RCMP issued a warning about the drug in September. It was also blamed for an overdose death in St. Anthony earlier this year.
Superintendent Stefan Thoms says police were also struck by the 95 per cent purity of the cocaine seized.
“Traditionally when we see cocaine coming into this province, it’s often stepped-on or mixed, and that expands the amount of product the individuals have and allows them to make more money,” said Thoms. “We are seeing a trend lately that a lot of the seizures we’re getting are in the high 90 per cent purity levels. That is very concerning … the number of seizures with that becoming more common in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Eight of the 17 charged were arrested and released with future court dates.
RCMP are urging the other nine, or anyone who knows where they are, to contact police of Crime Stoppers.
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
