Both men face charges under the federal Cannabis Act.

RCMP Newfoundland and Labrador have charged two men with weapons and drug offences following a traffic stop and subsequent raids on the suspects’ homes.

Earlier this week, RCMP officers conducted a planned traffic stop near Conception Bay. Officers recovered a quantity of unstamped cannabis and more than $5,000 cash from the vehicle, according to a news release.

A 27-year-old suspect was taken into custody without incident.

Police officers then searched the man’s home, where they found a number of Oxycodone pills, unstamped contraband cannabis and cannabis products, ammunition, a quantity of cocaine, other prescription medications and more than $15,000 in cash.

According to the release, various proceeds of crime items were located and seized.

The man remains in custody ahead of a bail hearing and faces four charges, including possession of unstamped cannabis for the purpose of selling, a violation of the federal Cannabis Act.

He was also charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and Oxycodone, as well as four counts of failing to comply with a release order.

The next day, in the same region, RCMP officers executed a search warrant at the home of a 48-year-old man. Police seized more than a kilogram of cocaine, 432 grams of unstamped contraband cannabis, a firearm and ammunition. The suspect was arrested at the home without incident.

The man faces six charges, including possession of unstamped cannabis for the purpose of selling and four counts related to the unauthorized possession of a firearm.

Police report that the investigation is continuing.

Under the Cannabis Act, charges of possession for the purpose of selling can lead to a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment and/or a $100,000 fine.

In 2020, a nearly year-long investigation by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Drug Investigation Unit, dubbed Operation Rhino, led to the seizure of $6 million in illicit cannabis and other substances and equipment in St. John’s.

The bust, which included MDMA and LSD, is believed to have had national implications.

“The organized crime group that we’re dealing with, I would suggest, are quite complex,” Supt. Tom Warren told local media at the time.

“They have associates not just from our province, but across Canada.”