Saint John at centre of drug trafficking ring stretching to N.S., Quebec
Leaders of 3 crime groups operating in New Brunswick among 29 arrested during raids Wednesday, RCMP say
Saint John was at the centre of three "major" drug trafficking networks RCMP say have been disrupted, following a three-year investigation and several raids across southern New Brunswick Wednesday that resulted in 29 arrests.
A group in Saint John that was trying to establish itself as a primary supplier of heroin in the region has also been stopped in its tracks, said Staff Sgt. Al Farrah, who led the joint-forces investigation, dubbed Operation J-Tornado.
But "large quantities" of drugs, including heroin and cocaine, were supplied to two crime groups in Saint John via routes from Montreal and Halifax, and from another crime group in Moncton, Farrah said.
The drugs were then redistributed to dealers in Saint John and other New Brunswick communities, including Fredericton, Oromocto, Sussex, St. George, and Grand Manan, to be sold on the street, he said during a news conference in Saint John on Thursday to provide an update on the joint-forces operation.
Each of those alleged dealers could have anywhere from two to 20 other dealers working for them, said Farrah, likening the distribution network to a spider web.
RCMP believe the leaders of the three criminal groups operating in New Brunswick were among the people arrested on Wednesday, who are now facing a variety of drug-related charges, including possession for the purpose of trafficking, trafficking, and conspiring to possess and traffic.
"We are also alleging that these criminal organizations dealt with organized crime groups in Nova Scotia and Quebec," Farrah said.
Some of the accused are also facing charges related to participation in the activities of a criminal organization, firearms offences, and proceeds of crime offences, he said.
None of the allegations has been proven in court.
Further charges could be pending as the investigation is ongoing, Farrah said.
They sat among the spoils of the raids at homes and business in eight communities, including large quantities of cocaine, heroin and marijuana, at least seven firearms, drug paraphernalia and cash.
Police could not provide an estimate on the seized items, which were displayed on a table during the news conference.
"You can see the impact today when you see the amount of drugs sitting on the table," said Farrah.
He noted the amount of heroin was particularly significant. "Contrary to cocaine, you don't need a lot to put out on the street," because it's sold in very small amounts and is very expensive.
It’s going to make our communities safer, it’s going to make the quality of life in our communities better because the kind of stuff you’re seeing on this table, it comes with weapons, it comes with violence, it comes with intimidation.- RCMP Staff Sgt. Al Farrah
"What we are alleging today is based on the amounts of heroin that you are seeing is … one of the groups in particular was trying to establish themselves as a primary supplier of heroin."
Heroin has been known to be available, not just in Saint John, but other parts of the province, said Farrah.
"But as a result of our operation, we feel we’ve dealt a significant blow to the trade of heroin in Saint John, even before it could take really root in our community," he said.
"It’s going to make our communities safer, it’s going to make the quality of life in our communities better because the kind of stuff you’re seeing on this table, it comes with weapons, it comes with violence, it comes with intimidation. And what we did as a result of a collective effort … is we were able to disrupt and dismantle these groups and their redistribution networks."
Collaboration and sacrifice
The Saint John Police Force was pleased to be part of the co-ordinated effort, said Insp. Glen McCloskey.
"Sharing information intelligence is a necessity in the complex policing world," he said.
"Today's announcement illustrates that offenders cannot utilize geography and jurisdiction to avoid detection and arrest, and that … forging strong relationships among law enforcement agencies is critical to keeping citizens and communities safe, and ultimately, Canadians safe."
Kennebecasis Regional Police Force's Deputy Chief Steven Palmer publicly recognized the many officers involved in the operation.
"They made many sacrifices over the last three years involving their family, their friends and in some cases, their own health," said Palmer.
"Without their dedication and hard work we wouldn’t be meeting here today."
And while none of the searches or arrests were in his jurisdiction, Palmer said he is "acutely aware" the drugs involved certainly did reach Rothesay and Quispamsis.
Searches and arrests were carried out in:
- Saint John
- Scoudouc
- Oromocto
- Moncton
- Seeleys Cove
- Springfield
- Grand Manan
- Willow Grove
- Halifax
- Laval, Que.