RCMP Federal Policing – Eastern Region, in collaboration with the RCMP-RNC Joint Forces Operation West (JFO West), announced today that it has seized the province's largest non-pharmaceutical (illicit) quantity of fentanyl earlier this week on the province's west coast. As a result of Project Beamline, charges have been laid against 25-year-old Abishake Lohia, who recently moved to Newfoundland and Labrador from British Columbia.
"RCMP Federal Policing and the RCMP-RNC Joint Forces Operation West share the mutual goal of disrupting drug trafficking activities and organized crime," said Superintendent Stefan Thoms, RCMP Criminal Operations Officer for Federal Policing – Eastern Region. "Our collaboration on Project Beamline has resulted in a significant fentanyl seizure that may have prevented deaths in our province. I commend all the RCMP and RNC officers who worked together in this investigation to rapidly remove dangerous fentanyl from our streets and apprehend the trafficker responsible."
"This investigation is just one example of the success of inter-agency co-operation between the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police," said RNC Chief Patrick Roche. "I specifically want to thank our officers in the Corner Brook region who work tirelessly every day to remove drugs from the streets of our communities. This seizure is a significant step in the ongoing efforts against organized crime and drug trafficking in this province."
Based on drug trafficking intelligence, Project Beamline was initiated and targeted Lohia, who is affiliated with an organized crime group in British Columbia.
On June 18, 2024, as part of the ongoing investigation, police attempted a traffic stop with Lohia, who was driving his vehicle on the Trans-Canada Highway near Pasadena. Lohia initially pulled over for police but then sped away at a high rate of speed. In the interest of public safety, officers did not pursue his vehicle.
Later that day, a warrant to search the Steady Brook residence where Lohia was staying was obtained under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Inside the residence, officers located the following items:
- Three ounces of non-pharmaceutical fentanyl
- Sixteen ounces of cocaine
- Half an ounce of crystal methamphetamine
- More than $22,000.00 cash
- Stolen identification
- Other items consistent with drug trafficking
"Any time we stop the distribution of illicit fentanyl to the communities of Newfoundland and Labrador, we are protecting the public from a dangerous substance that is well known to cause deaths," said Staff Sergeant Dave Emberley, RCMP Federal Policing – Eastern Region. "A seizure of three ounces of non-pharmaceutical fentanyl is significant and the person responsible is facing multiple charges."
On June 19, Lohia's vehicle was located and seized, where it was parked at a commercial property in Deer Lake. Information led officers to a residence in Deer Lake. With assistance of both RCMP and RNC Police Dog Services, Lohia was arrested without further incident on the afternoon of June 19, after he left the residence.
Lohia is charged with the following criminal offences:
- Trafficking fentanyl
- Trafficking cocaine
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
- Flight from police
- Possession of property obtained by crime
Lohia appeared in court in Corner Brook on Thursday, was remanded into custody and is scheduled to attend court again today.
The investigation is continuing.
Fentanyl is a potent opiate that when ingested, even in the smallest amount, can be lethal. Many illegal drugs get cut with different substances by drug traffickers, including fentanyl. Plan and prepare for opioid overdose by carrying a Naloxone kit. Please call 811 to find your nearest location for a free naloxone kit or visit https://www.gov.nl.ca/hcs/naloxonekits/.
RCMP Federal Policing - Eastern Region targets criminal activity involving national security, transnational and serious organized crime and cybercrime throughout the entire province of Newfoundland and Labrador.