Second set of drug charges in Port Saunders and St. Paul's

Four of the eight people arrested last April in the largest ecstasy bust in the province's history were arrested again last week and face drug-related charges.

St. John's RCMP Proceeds of Crime Section and Northern Peninsula RCMP in conjunction with Corner Brook RCMP Drug Section executed search warrants on two businesses, two residences and one cottage, totaling eight warrants on five buildings in Port Saunders and St. Paul's.

These searches, as part of an ongoing investigation since 2009, led to the arrests of four people who face charges with various offences.

A 40 year old Port Saunders man, was charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and weapons offences, along with breach of an undertaking. Another 36 year old tri-town resident was charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

A 35 year old St. Paul's resident was charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and breach of an undertaking. Another 30 year old, also of St. Paul's, was charged with possession of a controlled substance.

Two of the charged were remanded in custody to appear in court Feb. 15 in Corner Brook while another was remanded into custody until Feb. 16 with further hearings set for Feb. 18. Another was released pending her next court appearance.

The various seizures included marijuana, hashish, ecstasy, cocaine, psilocybin and Percocet.

The RCMP Proceeds of Crime Section also recovered documents related to the laundering of proceeds of crime and possession of property obtained by crime investigation.

Port Saunders RCMP detachment Sgt. Randy Freeborn said drug possession and trafficking is an ongoing concern.

"I'm hoping it's going to make a difference for our area," Sgt. Freeborn told the Pen. "We're not so naÏve as to believe that by taking two drug dealers off the coast we've stopped the drug dealing. We know there are still other people out there and we still receive other information that those people are active. And when we get sufficient information we'll come see them too."

Two of those charged were held in April on undertakings with some very strict conditions, Sgt. Freeborn explained. Once someone has been arrested for breaches of an undertaking they enter into a "reverse onus" case, wherein their council has to argue that they be released from jail.

Collaboration between different RCMP detachments and special investigations units is crucial, Sgt. Freeborn said.

"And even though they were charged once, we're more than willing to go back in and keep after them. To take out two players that were mid- to high-level players for the area, and have charges standing now before the courts, and to go back in and do it again, it's a substantial thing for our area, and it shows that we're keeping our nose to the grindstone to try to keep ahead of it."

Last April, RCMP seized 15,000 ecstasy tablets, three kg of cocaine and five and a half lb. of marijuana. The estimated street value of the illicit drugs seized was $600,000.