ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Two Ontario men are among five charged in one of the largest cocaine seizures in Newfoundland and Labrador history.
The RCMP say nine kilograms of cocaine had been hidden on a freight truck, but the trucking company was unaware of it.
They say the cocaine was headed for the province's streets, where they estimate after being diluted it would have a value of $2- to $3-million.
Five men -- three from St. John's, N.L., one from Toronto and another from Grand Valley, Ont. -- are charged with cocaine trafficking and possession of the drug for the purpose of trafficking.
Police are looking for other suspects.
The RCMP say they also found items related to cocaine distribution including a hydraulic press, vacuum sealers, cell phones and thousands of dollars in cash.
"This amount of cocaine is typical with criminal groups that operate at a high level who are well established in the supply of drugs to our province," RCMP Staff Sergeant Stefan Thoms said in a statement Monday on what the Mounties called "Project Bowman."
"The social issues associated to drugs such as cocaine negatively impact the fabric of our society and jeopardize the health of everyone, especially those vulnerable to addictions and our youth."
