New Brunswick RCMP say they have dismantled an organized drug trafficking network after seizing large amounts of drugs in the province.
RCMP say the operation began after officers received a tip from the Edmundston Police Force regarding the trafficking of methamphetamine pills.
Investigators believe the community was being used as a gateway for the distribution of drugs into the Greater Moncton area.
Police managed to infiltrate the group responsible for distributing the drugs and, over the course of their six-month investigation, also learned about a cocaine trafficking network operating in the province.
The RCMP Federal Operations East worked in conjunction with the Codiac Regional RCMP and the Edmundston Police Force to dismantle the network.
“This is a prime example of how different police forces coming together can reduce and prevent crime in New Brunswick,” said RCMP Supt. Guy Rook. “This was a significant organized drug trafficking operation.”
Police seized 26,000 methamphetamine pills, roughly 200 amphetamine pills, about 1.5 kilograms of marijuana and one kilogram of cocaine in the bust. They also seized a weapon, two vehicles and $16,000 in cash.
Eight people are facing charges of drug trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, and conspiracy in connection with the bust.
Marc-André Couturier, 26, and Julian Ross Deveau, 27, are from Moncton.
Denis Deschênes, 25, and Julie Desjardins, 24, are from Edmundston.
James George Dionne, 25, and Ashley Legere, 22, are from Dieppe, as is a youth who was 17 years old at the time of the offence.
Leon Nowlan, 31, from Sainte-Anne-de-Kent has also been charged in the bust.
Police say two other individuals were arrested during the course of their investigation and have already been sentenced.
Stéphane Gallant of Dieppe, 43, and Trevor Dow, 25, of Saint-Philippe were arrested on July 26, 2012.
Gallant pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and has been sentenced to five years in prison. Dow also pleaded guilty and was handed a three-year sentence.