Port Hardy Massive Drug Seizure 1000 Kilos Cocaine

Two Men Charged In Connection
With Port Hardy Drug Bust

The two males arrested on the sailboat that arrived from Panama have now been formally charged in connection to the seizure of 1001 kilograms of cocaine.

Scott Pedersen
Vicente Hernandez Charged

The two males arrested in connection with the arrival of the sail boat in Port Hardy on Saturday March 6th, appeared in Victoria Provincial Court on Friday March 12, 2010. 39-year-old Scott Pedersen of Victoria, BC and 38-year-old Vicente Hernandez of Mexico have been formally charged with one count each of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking. The total amount of drugs seized was 1001 kilograms of cocaine. Also seized at the scene was a 50 foot sailboat called the “Huntress”, one 15 foot Ridge Hull inflatable boat and motor and numerous pieces of sophisticated electronic equipment.

“Cocaine is a drug that fuels a significant level of violence in our society. It is a dangerous drug and it has all the makings to destroy many lives in our society when it is distributed amongst our communities and we are determined to intercept this distribution,” said Superintendent Brian Cantera, Officer in Charge of the RCMP Federal Drug Enforcement Branch.

"This bust shows the sheer magnitude of just one organized crime operation which would have translated into hundreds of millions of dollars of cocaine on the street," said Solicitor General Kash Heed. "Today is a particularly bad day for business in BC's organized crime world and I can guarantee that it won't be the last, thanks to the ongoing focus on intelligence-led policing to crack down on illegal drug importation and distribution."

The RCMP Federal Drug Enforcement Branch wishes to thank the local Port Hardy RCMP who were first on scene to address the arrival of the boat and held the scene while drug officers arrived. We also would like to thank our partners at the Marine Security Operations Centre and RCMP Air Services for their assistance in this investigation.

Public Help Sought

The Police are asking for the public's assistance as this is an ongoing investigation for any information that they may have with regard to this case. Police believe that there are further individuals that are associated to this Criminal Organization and any information that is received will be kept in the strictest of confidence. Please call the RCMP at: 778-571-7535.