8th arrest in drug sweep; 15 more could face charges

Police say an eighth person has been charged in connection with Operation Raptor, which saw Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officers raid two locations in St. Johns Thursday.

According to the RNC, the man turned himself in last night.

The seven people arrested during Thursdays raids face charges of trafficking in a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking, police say.

The eighth man faces one charge of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The age range of those charged is from 43 to 62.

Another 15 people could ultimately face charges, RNC Const. Talia Murphy told reporters Friday.

Murphy said those charges have not yet been laid, because police didnt want to jeopardize the larger operation.

Operation Raptor has been underway since February. It is aimed at an alleged cocaine trafficking ring.

A quantity of cocaine was seized Thursday, but police wont say how much.

The RNC also seized a camper van at one of the locations raided, on Cabot Street in downtown St. Johns.

Police also executed search warrants at a home on Vail Place near Mundy Pond.