One of the people charged in Project Bustle, an investigation into interprovincial drug trafficking by an organized crime network, has pled guilty to the charges against him.
The three-year RCMP investigation resulted in the identification of more than $1-million worth of illicit income.
Homes in St. John’s, Appleton, Humber Valley, and Gander were searched, resulting in the seizure of drugs, cash, cars, jewelry, and cell phones.
Items seized included:
- approximately eight kilograms of cocaine
- more than $173,000.00 cash
- 1.7 kilograms of illicit cannabis
- a quantity of contraband tobacco
- drug paraphernalia and items consistent with drug trafficking
- a Range Rover SUV
- an Acura SUV
- a 2013 Yamaha SX 210 twin-engine boat
- a 2013 Shore Lander boat trailer
- a quantity of gold coins
- a quantity of gold bars
- high-end jewellery
- encrypted cellular phones
The RCMP say 45-year-old Stephen Kelly pleaded guilty on Monday to charges of conspiracy to traffic cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, four counts of trafficking cocaine, five counts of possession of property obtained by crime, and laundering the proceeds of crime.
Kelly pleaded guilty to charges including:
- Conspiracy to traffic (cocaine)
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
- Trafficking (cocaine) – four counts
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 – five counts
- Laundering the proceeds of crime.
Kelly will appear in court again for sentencing in September.
