National marijuana trafficking network busted in Operation Hagrid
Investigators found people taking commercial flights and transporting large amounts of marijuana, cash
CBC News Posted: Oct 30, 2015 10:32 AM AT Last Updated: Oct 30, 2015 10:32 AM AT
An investigator shows some of the $232,000 seized during Operation Hagrid. (RCMP)
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Operation Hagrid was a five-month investigation targeting a suspected drug trafficking network between the Vancouver area and Eastern and Atlantic Canada including:
"These individuals had an established network operating a sophisticated drug distribution chain that has ties to organized crime," said Nova Scotia RCMP Insp. Mike Payne.
"Investigators have disrupted this network and as a result of today's arrests, we have ended their activities."
On Wednesday, officers from the RCMP Federal and Serious Organized Crime Unit searched six homes in the Halifax Regional Municipality and eight homes in the Lower Mainland area of British Columbia.
Seven males were arrested in the Lower Mainland area; five males and one female were arrested in the greater Halifax area.
Slew of charges laid
The accused are facing a slew of charges including conspiracy to traffic marijuana, trafficking marijuana, and money laundering.
The following items were seized in Nova Scotia on Wednesday:
A suitcase full of marijuana seized during Operation Hagrid. (RCMP)
"This cooperative effort with the criminal intelligence section of B.C. and RCMP federal investigators in Nova Scotia is an excellent example of the success which can be generated through cooperative enforcement efforts and effective intelligence sharing," said RCMP Insp. Mike Carlson.
Investigators found people taking commercial flights and transporting large amounts of marijuana, cash
CBC News Posted: Oct 30, 2015 10:32 AM AT Last Updated: Oct 30, 2015 10:32 AM AT
An investigator shows some of the $232,000 seized during Operation Hagrid. (RCMP)
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Operation Hagrid was a five-month investigation targeting a suspected drug trafficking network between the Vancouver area and Eastern and Atlantic Canada including:
- Toronto
- Montreal
- Halifax
- St. John's
"These individuals had an established network operating a sophisticated drug distribution chain that has ties to organized crime," said Nova Scotia RCMP Insp. Mike Payne.
"Investigators have disrupted this network and as a result of today's arrests, we have ended their activities."
On Wednesday, officers from the RCMP Federal and Serious Organized Crime Unit searched six homes in the Halifax Regional Municipality and eight homes in the Lower Mainland area of British Columbia.
Seven males were arrested in the Lower Mainland area; five males and one female were arrested in the greater Halifax area.
Slew of charges laid
The accused are facing a slew of charges including conspiracy to traffic marijuana, trafficking marijuana, and money laundering.
The following items were seized in Nova Scotia on Wednesday:
- Over $17,000 in cash with more seized and still being counted.
- Weapons — a Taser and 16 firearms.
- Various types of ammunition.
- Over 32 kilograms of marijuana.
- Small quantity of hash oil.
- Money counter machines.
- Drug paraphernalia, including numerous sets of scales and vacuum sealers.
- Three vehicles.
- More than $100,000 in cash.
- Weapons including a carbine assault weapon, loaded shotgun and handgun.
- Over 45 kilograms of marihuana.
- 296 marijuana plants.
- 14 kilograms of shatter.
- Small quantity of Oxycontin pills.
- Over one kilogram of cocaine.
- Brass knuckles.
- Two prohibited swords.
- Drug paraphernalia, including numerous sets of scales and vacuum sealers.
- Money counter machines.
- 11 high-end vehicles.
A suitcase full of marijuana seized during Operation Hagrid. (RCMP)
"This cooperative effort with the criminal intelligence section of B.C. and RCMP federal investigators in Nova Scotia is an excellent example of the success which can be generated through cooperative enforcement efforts and effective intelligence sharing," said RCMP Insp. Mike Carlson.
