Project Blowfish: Drug trafficking investigation results in three arrests and seizure of drugs, cash and SUV

March 3, 2020 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
From: Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP

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Three individuals are in custody and will face charges as a result of Project Blowfish, an investigation into cocaine trafficking, illicit cannabis trafficking and proceeds of crime.

On February 26, members of the RCMP NL Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit executed search warrants on a hotel in the east end of St. John's, as well as a residence on Forbes Street. Investigators seized approximately 70 lbs of illicit cannabis which has a street value of just over $100,000; $78,000 cash; four kilograms of cocaine cutting agent; and a 2016 Infiniti QX70 SUV, as well as other items related to drug trafficking and proceeds of crime. See images below.

“The inter-provincial movement of drugs and proceeds of crime from British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador, as targeted by Project Blowfish, is indicative of the activities criminal networks engage in to bring illegal and dangerous drugs to our streets and make profit for themselves,” said Staff Sergeant Stefan Thoms, RCMP NL Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit. “The investigative work of Project Blowfish has yielded multiple arrests, charges and seizures since it began last year. We will continue this work to disrupt these criminal networks and their criminal activities.”

In May, 2019, Project Blowfish resulted in a large seizure of drugs, cash, firearms, body armour and vehicles: https://rcmp.ca/en/nl/news/2019/05/4358702

Current arrests and charges:
Tyler Butler, age 25, of St. John's
- Trafficking cocaine - Section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
- Four counts breach of recognizance - Section 145(3) of the Criminal Code
- Cultivating more than four cannabis plants in a dwelling house - Section 12(4)(b) of the Cannabis Act
- Distribution of illegal cannabis - Section 9(1)(a)(iv) of the Cannabis Act
- Possession of illegal cannabis for the purpose of trafficking - Section 10(2) of the Cannabis Act.
 

Butler has a bail hearing on March 3, 2020 at St. John's Provincial Court.

Hyeyoung Jeon, age 36, a South Korean national whose residence is believed to be Burnaby, British Columbia
- Distribution of illegal cannabis - Section 9(1)(a)(iv) of the Cannabis Act
- Possession of proceeds of crime - Section 355(a) of the Criminal Code
- Money laundering - Section 462.31(1)(a) of the Criminal Code

Jeon has a bail hearing in St. John's Provincial Court on February 28.

Man Ja Chu, age 64, of Coquitlam, British Columbia
- Distribution of illegal cannabis and cannabis resin - Section 9(1)(a)(iv) of the Cannabis Act
- Possession of illegal cannabis and cannabis resin for the purpose of trafficking - Section 10(2) of the Cannabis Act.

Chu has a bail hearing in St. John's Provincial Court on February 28.

The RCMP NL Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit targets criminal activity involving national security, transnational and serious organized crime and cyber crime throughout the entire province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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