5 arrested as Mounties seize fentanyl, cocaine and 3 pickup trucks

Five people in eastern Newfoundland have been arrested in a large drug bust that involved the seizure of weapons, more than 15,000 prescription pills, liquor, pickup trucks and twotrailers full of cigarettes.

The 11-month investigation, called RCMP called Operation Barcode, covered what investigators described as "a local organized crime network" across the Clarenville area.

Five search warrants were executed Friday in Bunyan's Cove, Bloomfield, Terra Nova and Charlottetown.

ClarenvilleRCMP showed their findings to reporters Thursday, which included:

• More than 15,000 pills, including fentanyl, oxycodone and hydromorphone.
• More than 1,600 grams of cocaine which police said is 98 per cent pure 400 grams of hashish and almost750 grams of illegal cannabis.
• More than $450,000 in cash.
• 12 firearms with ammunition. Police say the guns weren't stored correctly, and one was loaded.
• More than 650 bottles of liquor
• More than 3.5 million contraband cigarettes.
• Three pickup trucks with two 20-foot utility trailers.

"It's been a very intricate 11-month investigation involving a lot of different investigative techniques. But it's been very thorough, and it was obviously very successful. And I'm so proud of the team. It's a significant seizure," RCMP Supt. Keith MacKinnon told the media.

WATCH | RCMP Supt. Keith MacKinnon explains the significance of a recent bust in the Clarenville area:

Police made what theyre calling a significant drug and contraband bust in Clarenville

18 days ago

Duration 0:58

The RCMP highlighted an 11-month investigation in the Clarenville area with a massive drug and contraband bust on Thursday. The RCMP told reporters it seized roughly 1,600 grams of cocaine, more than 15,000 pills and over $450,000 cash as part of Operation Barcode. Supt. Keith MacKinnon explained the significance of the bust.

The five suspectswere taken into custody, releasedand will face charges, police said. Police didn't identify them, as charges haven't been laid, MacKinnon said, but noted they are residents of the province who brought the drugs onto the island through vehicles and Marine Atlantic ferries.

Operation Barcode involved RCMP from across Newfoundland as well as the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary andseveral other partner agencies.

MacKinnon hopes the seizure sends a message to other dealers in the area, noting he's seen drug dealing change across the province.

"It's alarming. We didn't see these quantities of these drugs 15 years ago, but you see them now," he said."It should give pause for thought for those individuals that want to get in the business. We're sending a message: 'No. You're making a big mistake, and you're going to end up in jail.'"

Clarenville Mayor John Pickett told CBC News following the press conference he's thankful to see the large quantity of drugs taken off the streets of his community.

Police dog Marlow key in completing bust

Police also highlighted the work of five-year-oldpolice dog Marlow, who they said recovered someseized items in hidden locations that police wouldn't have otherwise found.

"Luckily for us, she can see things that we can't," Cpl. Kyle Hrynyk, Marlow's handler at the Clarenville RCMP detachment, told reporters.

"For narcotics, for example, she's trained to sit. So we're going along doing a search, she's all of a sudden pulling down hard through the weeds. And gives me a sit and starts looking at me, like, 'Dad, I found something.'Any dog owner can relate to that. And sure enough, there's a pile of drugs sitting there."

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