RNC make largest Fentanyl seizure in provincial history

The RNC has charged three people in connection with the largest fentanyl seizure in the province.

After the dismantling of a drug manufacturing operation in September 2024, investigators sent a number of drug samples to the national crime lab for testing.

The RNC can now confirm the seizure contained

• More than 500 grams of fentanyl

• More than 500 grams of methylfentanyl

• More than 250 grams of fentanyl and other fentanyl analogues which include carfentanil, acetalfentanyl and fluorofentanyl.

In addition to:

• Over 950 grams of cocaine

• Over 300 grams of crystal meth and

• Over 2,000 prescription pills including clonazepam, methylphenidate, oxycodone, lorazepam, benzodiazepines, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone, alprazolam, amphetamine, codeine, diazepam.

A large number of the drug samples also contained the presence of xylazine, which is not approved for human use.

The investigation by the RNC Weapons and Drug Enforcement Unit started in February 2024 and culminated with the execution of multiple search warrants at residential properties and a camping trailer on the Northeast Avalon on Sept. 23, 2024. The investigation included multiple units of the RNC, with the assistance of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. 

The residential searches also resulted in the seizure of:

• A loaded .22 calibre handgun

• A loaded SKS .22 calibre semi-automatic rifle

• Two replica handguns

• Drug manufacturing equipment

• Money counter

• Multiple cell phones

Given the seizure of the items listed below, officers are of the belief the trailer was a drug manufacturing site:

• Respirator masks

• Products at various stages of manufacturing

• Various unidentified substances in dishes/containers

• Packaging supplies

• Multiple gas storage tanks

• Colour dyes

• Vacuum sealer

In total, the RNC seized almost $50,000 in cash.

As a result of the investigation, 24-year-old Emma Murphy and 29-year-old Martin Marks combined face almost 85 manufacturing, possession, trafficking, and weapons-related charges. Twenty-seven-year-old Chris Somerton was charged with trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of property obtained by crime. All three will appear in court at a future date.