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Sweeping RCMP cocaine bust results in 10 arrests in 3 Newfoundland towns

Police in St. John's on Wednesday announced 10 arrests in Project Bonshaw, a seven-month cocaine investigation. (Royal Canadian Mounted Police - image credit)
Police in St. John's on Wednesday announced 10 arrests in Project Bonshaw, a seven-month cocaine investigation. (Royal Canadian Mounted Police - image credit)
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Ten people in Newfoundland's Conception Bay area have been charged with trafficking cocaine and other related offences following a police investigation across three towns.

The arrests, announced Wednesday morning, were made between May and July after search warrants for four houses in Victoria, Harbour Grace and Western Bay.

The searches turned up cocaine, prescription pills including Oxycontin, drug paraphernalia, two sets of nunchucks and parts for a .223 carbine rifle, according to a media release from the RCMP. Police also seized about $55,000 in cash.

The arrests happened under Project Bonshaw, a seven-month effort between Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachments in Bay Roberts and Harbour Grace, along with the force's serious and organized crime unit. Police also received support from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.

"Charges against 10 individuals for trafficking in these communities is significant," RCMP Sgt. Kenneth Maher, district commander for the Trinity-Conception area, told reporters during a news conference in St. John's on Wednesday.

"It should be a signal to all criminals in the drug trade that police will continue to work to disrupt the supply of cocaine and all illegal drugs in our communities."

All 10 people, who range in age from 22 to 60, have been charged with trafficking cocaine, and some have also been charged with possession of cocaine and weapons charges.

They have all been released and will appear in court at a later date.

Staff Sgt. Adam Palmer, who works with the RCMP's federal serious and organized crime unit in Newfoundland and Labrador, said the focus of the operation was on those who were trafficking illicit drugs, not the users or the amount of cocaine found.

He said all 10 people arrested were known to police.

Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador