CLERMONT - Cpl. Andy Cook calls it one of biggest street-level seizures of cocaine in recent memory for the Prince District JFO Drug Unit.
Saturday, following a three-month investigation by the unit and the Criminal Intelligence Service Prince Edward Island, police searched a Clermont home and seized more than 350 grams of cocaine, worth $80 to $100 a gram on the street.
As a result, a 52-year-old Clermont man and a 42-year-old man currently living in Moncton face charges of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
"It is about three and a half ounces short of a pound," said Cook in describing the cocaine seized, which he said was "fairly pure."
"It's a lot. It's one of the bigger amounts I've seen at the street level anywhere."
Saturday, a warrant was executed at the home where the cocaine was seized and the two men were arrested. Also seized was more than $2,900 in cash, two cellphones, a digital scale and packaging supplies.
"It wasn't an undercover operation. It consisted of surveillance and information from informants, as well as other techniques," Cook said of the investigation.
The two men arrested were known to police and known to the drug trade in this province, confirmed Cook, although he wouldn't disclose their names at this time.
"Since I've come to the unit, this is our biggest seizure. We've had a seizure of 200 'Big Reds' (oxycodone) in late 2010. This is our biggest seizure, both dollar wise and target wise," he added. "It should have a significant impact on the availability of cocaine in the area."
The 42-year-old man was held in custody for violating conditions of his parole while the 52-year-old was released on an undertaking to appear in court.
Both men will appear before Summerside provincial court to answer to charges of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
"We're going to get to everybody eventually. Take your number and wait," said Cook. "This is a good one for us for the simple fact that by taking out a supplier you eliminate all the people underneath him. That's cutting the head of the hydra."
I'm with you on this one, it's likely at (or even below) the 4% mark for regular cocaine use. that being said, the 350 grams seized here is less than what Islanders as a whole consume on a Friday night, essentially still a drop in the bucket. now not to detract, but because i always give the cops *poop* for busting weed dealers and growers and say "why not get the real dealers?"... well, here they actually did get some real dealers so I guess I owe them props! Keep busting high-end cocaine and hydromorph dealers, leave pot users (and sellers, and growers) alone all together!