2007/1/26RCMP Drug Sections from Saint John, Fredericton and Moncton along with the Fredericton Police Force have arrested 18 people as the result of a two year investigation, including 16 men and two women. Charges are of trafficking and conspiracy to traffic against these 18 people, and possibly others, are being likely.
"Operation Jellybean" was started to disrupt the sale of cocaine, marihuana, prescription drugs and anabolic steroids in New Brunswick, primarily around the Fredericton area. The investigation spread across the Maritimes and into Ontario. On January 25, 2007 police conducted searches at seven homes and six businesses. Six of the homes are in Greater Fredericton and one in Saint John. The businesses are located in Greater Fredericton, Saint John, Miramichi, Glace Bay and Sydney, Nova Scotia as well as Burlington, Ontario.
One of the homes, in Fredericton was heavily fortified and identified by investigators as a "pumphouse". It's alleged the home was used exclusively, 24 hours a day, as a place to sell drugs; specifically cocaine. One of the men taken into custody was arrested at the house.
The investigation also identified a significant level of trafficking in the Maritimes of illegal anabolic steroids. Investigators have been able to identify the sale of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of anabolic steroids.
During the course of the investigation including the searches of yesterday, a large quantity of drugs was seized including 1.2 pounds of cocaine, in excess of 55 pounds of marihuana, large quantities of what are believed counterfeit prescripton pills, anabolic steroids, in excess of $350,000 in cash, several vehicles, two custom motorcycles, an ATV, a boat and a trailer, several restricted and one prohibited firearm. A business location has been restrained by personnel from the RCMP J Div Integrated Proceeds of Crime Section.
Those arrested range in age from 20 to 39 . Six men are from Fredericton, three from Moncton, one from Saint John, two from Miramichi, two from Ontario and one each from Sydney and Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. The two women are from Fredericton. All have been released while charges are being prepared by police and the Dept. Of Public Prosecutions, Halifax. No court dates have been set.
The RCMP Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit is also conducting a separate investigation and it's anticipated there will be charges of money laundering and proceeds of crime charges.
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S/Sgt. Ed MacEachern
RCMP "J" Division
Saint John / Fredericton Drug Section -
506-333-1692
