RCMP REPORT MAJOR DRUG BUST OFF N.S.

500 Kg of Cocaine Seized on Sailboat

Police say the seizure off Nova Scotia's coast of an Antiguan sailboat
loaded with cocaine from South America and the Caribbean was a major
drug bust allegedly involving smugglers from this province, Quebec and
elsewhere.

The RCMP on Monday intercepted the 15-metre yacht, the Friendship,
near the small Eastern Shore community of Moser River in Halifax
County. More than 500 kilograms of cocaine was allegedly packed on the
boat, a lucrative cache destined for markets in Canada.

"I think it's a big one in Canada but it is certainly not the
biggest," said Const. Marie-Veronique Bourque.

She said five federal agencies, including the Canadian navy, helped
uncover what police say is an international drug-smuggling ring.

"We have many partners in this operation," Const. Bourque said by
phone from Montreal. "Without them, we wouldn't be able to do this
kind of operation."

Const. Bourque wouldn't say how the RCMP knew the sailboat was
destined for Nova Scotia. She said the value of the seized cocaine,
based on the approximate street cost in Montreal, is about $18 million.

The $600,000 US vessel, painted white, was cruising toward the Eastern
Shore when it was nabbed at night by Canadian authorities. Photos
released by the RCMP show zodiacs with armed officers wearing helmets
positioned by the drug boat.

"We arrested a vessel and the persons on board," RCMP Sgt. Wayne
Noonan said in Halifax. The boat, now police evidence, was docked
Tuesday at HMC Dockyard in Halifax.

Sgt. Noonan said the people found on the Friendship surrendered
peacefully.

"The persons arrested were arrested without incident and have since
been sent to Montreal via RCMP aircraft."

Navy spokeswoman Lt.-Cmdr. Denise Laviolette wouldn't comment on the
situation other than to confirm sailors pitched in.

Seven of nine people arrested in the operation, conducted as part of
Project Columbie, have been charged. Most are from Quebec.

Const. Bourque said two Nova Scotians allegedly involved in the crime
haven't been charged yet.

Police allege an Eastern Shore home was a key stopping point in the
drug-smuggling operation.

"RCMP officers . . . executed a search warrant in Moser River . . . at
a residence that was to be used to conceal the drug prior to
distribution," an RCMP news release said.

It said the seized sailboat left Antigua, in the Leeward Islands in
the West Indies, for Nova Scotia on June 23. RCMP officers in Montreal
launched Project Columbie more than a year ago.

Const. Bourque said Antigua's anti-drug and anti-money laundering
office also took part in the bust, as did French authorities in St.
Martin, one of the Leeward Islands.

During the operation the RCMP also seized a gun, an undisclosed amount
of cash and documents.

RCMP officials are to hold a news conference in Halifax today to
discuss the cocaine seizure.