(ST. JOHN’S, NL), October 28, 2021 – The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) Drug Investigation Unit (DIU) have laid charges in connection with Operation Rhino.
In September of 2019, The RNC DIU initiated Operation Rhino in response to public safety concerns related to illicit drug activity. Following a ten month investigation, specialized units within the CID deployed conventional investigative techniques, and on June 30, 2020, with assistance from RNC Operational Patrol Services, executed several Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) searches of residences and vehicles on the Avalon.
Among the items seized were illicit drugs, cash in the amount of $181,930.00, two money counters, six firearms, body armour, ammunition, brass knuckles, and two vehicles. Most notably, investigators seized a piece of equipment called a ‘pill press’, which is used for mass production of non-pharmaceutical grade pills, and is the first of its kind located within the province.
Illicit drugs and equipment seized are as follows:
– 1073.33 grams of cocaine
– 3210 grams of mushrooms
– 35.66 grams of MDMA
– 46 blots of LSD
– 700 pounds of illicit cannabis
– 6300 grams of shatter
– 127 pounds of illicit edibles
– 14.11 kg of hashish
– Pill press (mass production)
Weapons seized are as follows:
– Bolt action rifle 30/06 caliber
– Semi-automatic rifle SKS 7.62 caliber
– Semi-automatic rifle .22 caliber
– Shotgun 12 gauge
– Semi-automatic rifle .308 caliber
– Shotgun 12 gauge
In March of 2021, officers with RNC DIU arrested and charged three individuals with various offences in connection with the investigation:
Kyle ST. CROIX (1993-08-11)
- Trafficking in controlled substance to wit Cocaine, 5(1) CDSA
- Possession for the purpose of Trafficking to Cocaine, 5(2) CDSA
- Production of a controlled substance to wit Alprazolam, 7(1) CDSA
- Possession of equipment (Pill Press) for Production, 7.1(1) CDSA
- Distribution of Illicit Cannabis, 9(1)(IV) Cannabis Act
- Possession of Illicit Cannabis for distribution 9(2) Cannabis Act
- Possession of property (Canadian Currency) obtained by Crime exceeding $5000, 354.1 CCC
- Contravention of Firearms storage regulations, 86(2) CCC x 6
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, 88(1) CCC x 6
Jeremy KIMBERLEY (1994-08-16)
- Trafficking in controlled substance to wit Cocaine, 5(1) CDSA
- Possession for the purpose of Trafficking to Cocaine, 5(2) CDSA
- Production of a controlled substance to wit Alprazolam, 7(1) CDSA
- Possession of equipment (Pill Press) for Production, 7.1(1) CDSA
- Distribution of Illicit Cannabis, 9(1)(IV) Cannabis Act
- Possession of Illicit Cannabis for distribution 9(2) Cannabis Act
- Possession of property (Canadian Currency) obtained by Crime NOT exceeding $5000, 354.1 CCC
Tristan FOWLER (1998-04-18)
- Trafficking in controlled substance to wit Cocaine, 5(1) CDSA
- Possession for the purpose of Trafficking to Cocaine, 5(2) CDSA
- Trafficking in controlled substance to wit MDMA, 5(1) CDSA
- Possession for the purpose of Trafficking to MDMA, 5(2) CDSA
- Trafficking in controlled substance to wit LSD, 5(1) CDSA
- Possession for the purpose of Trafficking to LSD, 5(2) CDSA
- Trafficking in controlled substance to wit Psilocybin, 5(1) CDSA
- Possession for the purpose of Trafficking to Psilocybin, 5(2) CDSA
- Distribution of Illicit Cannabis, 9(1)(IV) Cannabis Act
- Possession of Illicit Cannabis for distribution 9(2) Cannabis Act
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon, 91(2) CCC
- Possession of property (Canadian Currency) obtained by Crime exceeding $5000, 354.1 CCC
In addition, on Monday, October 25, 2021, as a result of the continued investigation by RNC DIU, 24-year-old Jacob Dean DOYLE was arrested after being escorted to the province by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police of Newfoundland and Labrador (RCMP-NL). He has been charged with unlawfully producing Alprazolam and unlawfully possessing anything (pill press) with intention that it be used to produce a controlled substance under the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act. DOYLE was held in custody to appear in Provincial Court.
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Cst. James C. Cadigan, #775
Media Relations Officer
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
Media@rnc.gov.nl.ca
(709) 729-8658