Crown opposed to releasing two arrested in drug, weapons bust

Posted: November 29, 2023 11:42 am | Last Updated: November 29th, 2023 2:20 pm
By Web Team

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Two of the four people arrested in connection with an ongoing police investigation into illegal weapons and drug trafficking were brought before a judge today.

Raquel Sonier, 33, and Bradley Wadden, 34, both of St. John’s, were led into provincial court today.

According to court documents, the two have been charged with trafficking in cocaine and possessing illegal drugs for the purpose of trafficking. 

Wadden also faces six weapons offences, while Sonier has eight. They include possessing an unlicensed firearm and prohibiting a prohibited weapon.

Wadden is also charged with one count of possessing more than $5,000 obtained in the commission of a crime.

Both the federal and provincial Crown prosecutors opposed releasing the two accused.

They agreed to have the case return to court Friday, when a bail hearing is expected to be scheduled.

While in custody, Wadden and Sonier — who are listed on court documents as living at the same address — were ordered to have no contact with each other and a handful of other people.

They were two of four people taken into custody yesterday as part of a month-and-a-half long RNC investigation into weapons and drug trafficking on the Northeast Avalon. The probe began Oct. 10 following reports from the community.

Two other men were released from custody as police continue the investigation.

The four were simultaneously arrested at two separate properties in the capital city. The searches turned up two kilograms of cocaine, a 9-mm semi-automatic rifle equipped with a loaded prohibited 30-round magazine, a variety of ammunition, a large quantity of cash, jewelry and a 2020 Land Rover Discovery.

More charges are expected to be laid in the coming weeks.

NTV’s Rosie Mullaley will have the story on tonight’s NTV Evening News Hour.

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