An investigation by RCMP NL Federal Serious and Organized Crime has netted significant results in ensuring justice was served to three individuals who were charged as a result of Project Broken. The extensive investigation examined an organized crime group and its inter-provincial drug trafficking network, which was responsible for the importation of large volumes of cocaine into the province and the laundering of monies associated with its operation.
On December 10, 2020, St. John’s resident Jonathan Brandon Mahon was sentenced in Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Court to 7.5 years in jail after pleading guilty to the offences of Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine, Possession of the Proceeds of Crime, Money Laundering, Careless Storage of a Firearm and Possession of an Unauthorized Firearm. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $196,255 in relation to the money laundering offences. At the time of his arrest, police seized a number of high-end vehicles and other items. These items have been forfeited to the Crown.
Project Broken led to the largest single seizure of illicit cash by police in the history of Newfoundland and Labrador, over $840,000, with other items seized including six kilograms of cocaine, firearms and vehicles. RCMP NL provided details of the investigation in a news conference on December 5, 2018. The total value of all items seized, including cash, was approximately $1.4 million. Multiple individuals were charged. For further details, see the Background links below.
Others also pled guilty for their roles in the distribution of cocaine from Quebec to Newfoundland and Labrador. On November 27, 2020, Michael Douglas Smith pled guilty in Quebec Superior Court to charges of Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine and Possession of the Proceeds of Crime for his role in overseeing the distribution. Smith, who was already in jail as a result of a separate investigation (Project Tailwind), received a seven-year sentence.
On the same day, Charlotte Toomey entered guilty pleas to charges of Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine and Possession of the Proceeds of Crime. She will return to court on March 11, 2021 for sentencing and remains free on bail.
Charges against others as a result of Project Broken remain before the courts.
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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