MONTREAL — The Mounties say they've broken up a cocaine trafficking ring that was employing an unorthodox way of smuggling their product.
The RCMP says in a news release the group it targeted was concealing the illicit drugs by mixing cocaine with asphalt powder.
RCMP say one of the accused was considered the chemist, who they say would extract the cocaine from the mixture.
Police say the drug trafficking network was well structured and aimed to control territory in the Montreal area as well as the Atlantic provinces.
Police say fifteen people were arrested by authorities and two others remain on the lam.
The accused face a wide range of charges that include gangsterism, importation, trafficking and possession.