Pubdate: Mon, 15 Jul 2002
Source: Cape Breton Post (CN NS)
Copyright: 2002 Cape Breton Post
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/sydney/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/777
Author: Kyle Bent

DRUG BUST NETS $130M WORTH OF COCAINE

More then $130 million worth of cocaine, destined for Janvrins Island in 
Richmond County, was intercepted during a drug bust July 4.

Four men were arrested on Janvrins Island, located near West Arichat on 
Isle Madame, while waiting for the delivery via sail boat.

The delivery never made it and Richard Tibault, 45, of Aylmer, Que., 
Normand Danault, 40, and Lu St. Onge, 44, both of Gatineau, Que., and Juien 
Loiscolle, 46, of Montreal, were whisked away to Kingston, Ont., charged 
with possession of drugs and illegal substances and money laundering.

The four will appear in court for bail hearings next week, said Sgt. Ken 
McKinnon with the Sydney RCMP drug unit.

McKinnon wouldn't say how the vessel was taken, saying it's a "trade 
secret." He said drug traffickers adapt quickly to police seizure methods.

"At least we get to use (this method) two or three times before they catch 
on," McKinnon said.

He and 15 other RCMP officers were involved in the raid on Janvrins Island.

Other countries taking part in the effort, which took several years to 
organize, were Costa Rica, Trinidad, Columbia, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, 
Panama and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

McKinnon said police apprehended everybody they wanted to get.

"(This bust) will impact for a short period of time."

Confiscated property is projected to be worth more then $1 million.

Busts such as this open the door for other people who want to traffic 
narcotics, McKinnon said.

He said putting a dent in the drug trade is a never-ending battle and that 
police can't be everywhere at once to check out suspected drug dealers.

He hopes Cape Bretoners will be the eyes and ears for the police and report 
anything suspicious.

"If Cape Bretoners want to stop this . . . or send a message they don't 
want this, call the RCMP" at 1-800-803-7267.
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