Justice and Public Safety
The Honourable John Hogan, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, was joined today by the Royal Newfoundland and Labrador Constabulary (RNC) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to announce an integrated unit that will target drug trafficking and organized crime on the west coast of the province. The RCMP-RNC Joint Force Operation West (JFO West), which will include dedicated police officers from both the RNC and the RCMP, will be based out of Corner Brook.
JFO West is expected to commence its work in March and will report directly to a joint management team that will provide strategic and operational direction to the new unit. The work of JFO West will support the RNC Corner Brook, the RNC Criminal Investigation Division, RCMP Core Criminal Operations West District and the RCMP Federal Criminal Operations.
Anyone who may have illicit drug related information, contact the RNC at 729-8000 or the RCMP at 772-5400. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), #SayItHere, visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.
Quotes
"I am pleased to see the province's two police agencies collaborating on such an important matter. To ensure a safe Newfoundland and Labrador, the RNC and RCMP regularly work together to address dangers in our communities. This is particularly crucial when there are illicit drugs being brought into the province. I have full confidence in the RNC and RCMP and thank them for their work in keeping our province a safe place to live and work."
Honourable John Hogan
Minister of Justice and Public Safety
"Ensuring the safety and protection of residents and the communities we serve is paramount for both our police services and will be furthered with the work of JFO West. The police officers assigned to this new unit will target the street level criminal offences related to drug trafficking, as well as organized crime operating at the local, regional and provincial level, leveraging their combined expertise and training for optimal impact."
Chief Patrick Roche
Chief of Police, Royal Newfoundland and Labrador Constabulary
"Drug trafficking and organized crime pose threats to our communities and our province, which require our collective enforcement efforts. After analyzing the criminal landscape in the region and identifying opportunities for enhanced enforcement and intelligence gathering, it made sense for us to collaborate on our shared goal to disrupt serious crime in a strategic and efficient manner."
Superintendent Derek Santosuosso
Acting Criminal Operations Officer, RCMP NL
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