Ten individuals from the Trinity-Conception area have been charged with drug trafficking and other offences following a RCMP investigation, Project Bonshaw.
The seven-month operation focused on drug trafficking in eastern Newfoundland and resulted in multiple people charged and homes searched. Project Bonshaw was a joint investigationbetween Bay Roberts and Harbour Grace RCMP Detachments and RCMP NL's Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit. The RCMP Emergency Response Team and Police Dog Services assisted in the arrests and searches which occurred between May and July, 2021. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary also supported the investigation.
"Our police officers work diligently in the battle against drugs in the communities we serve for the safety and protection of allresidents," said Sergeant Kenneth Maher, District Commander for the RCMP in the Trinity-Conception area. "Charges against 10 individuals involved in the drug trade is significant and should signal to the criminals involved in trafficking that police will continue to work to disrupt the supply of cocaine and other illegal drugs coming into the Trinity-Conception area."
Search warrants were executed at four homes in the communities of Victoria, Harbour Grace, and Western Bay.Multiple items were seized including:
• Quantities of cocaine from each home and/or person arrested
• A variety of prescription pills from one home, including oxycontin
• Several telecommunication devices
• Drug paraphernalia indicative of drug trafficking
• Two pairs of nunchucks
• Parts for a .223 Carbine rifle
• Approximately $55,000 total in Canadian currency
"Project Bonshaw aligns with our unit's priority to disrupt inter-provincial criminal networks that bring illegal and dangerous drugs into Newfoundland and Labrador. Ultimately, all street level drug activity ties back to organized crime groups looking to profit from the drug trade without care for the harmful and, often, fatal impacts of their actions," said Staff Sergeant Adam Palmer of RCMP NL Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit. "We will continue to work with detachments throughout the province to address this issue. The number of individuals arrested and charged with drug trafficking offences as a result of Project Bonshaw is certainly a success and shows the dedication of our investigators."
The individuals charged are:
Charlie Budden, age 60 of Victoria.
• Three counts of trafficking cocaine, S. 5(1) Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA)
• One count of possession of property obtained by crime, exceeding $5000.00, S. 355(1)(a) Criminal Code (CC)
Colleen Pottle, age 48 of Carbonear.
• Two counts of trafficking cocaine, S. 5(1) CDSA
• Two counts of possession of cocaine, S. 4(1) CDSA
• Fail to comply with probation, S. 733.1(1) CC
David Parsons, age 36 of Carbonear.
• Two counts of trafficking cocaine, S. 5(1) CDSA
• Two counts of possession of cocaine, S. 4(1) CDSA
• Four counts of fail to comply with release order, S. 145(5)(a) CC
James Puddester, age 42 of Western Bay.
• One count of trafficking cocaine, S. 5(1) CDSA
• Two counts of weapon possession, S. 92(2) CC
• Two counts of weapon possession, S. 91(2) CC
Joseph Mullins, age 58 of Carbonear.
• One count of trafficking cocaine, S. 5(1) CDSA
Adrianne Haire, age 32 of Victoria.
• One count of trafficking cocaine, S. 5(1) CDSA
Randy Stevenson, age 40 of Victoria.
• One count of trafficking cocaine, S. 5(1) CDSA
Kelsey Dove, age 22 of Harbour Grace.
• Three counts of trafficking cocaine, S. 5(1) CDSA
• One count of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, S. 5(2) CDSA
• Two counts of possession of cocaine, S. 4(1) CDSA
Edward Mercer, age 46 of Harbour Grace.
• One count of trafficking cocaine, S. 5(1) CDSA
• One count of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, S. 5(2) CDSA
• One count of possession of cocaine, S. 4(1) CDSA
Shane Lush, age 35 of Harbour Grace.
• One count of trafficking cocaine, S. 5(1) CDSA
• One count of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, S. 5(2) CDSA
• One count of possession of cocaine, S. 4(1) CDSA
• One count of possession of property obtained by crime, not exceeding $5000.00, S. 355(1)(b) CC
All accused will appear in court at later dates.
RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Many illegal drugs get cut with different substances by drug traffickers, including fentanyl. Plan and prepare for opioid overdose by carrying a Naloxone kit. Please call 811 to find your nearest location for a free naloxone kit or visit https://www.gov.nl.ca/hcs/naloxonekits/.