Guns, drugs seized from suspected cross-border crime network

TORONTO –

Police in Ontario say they have busted a crime ring that allegedly trafficked cocaine and fentanyl and smuggled guns into Canada from the U.S.

York Regional Police said a joint operation with several other Ontario police forces, along with Canadian and U.S. border agents, resulted in the arrest of 22 people on more than 400 charges.

“This investigation has broken up a complex criminal network involved in the distribution of cocaine, fentanyl and other controlled substances,” said York Regional Police Insp. Ahmad Salhiya said at a press conference on Wednesday.

“We have identified a criminal pipeline responsible for the flow of illegal firearms coming into Canada from the United States, firearms that we believe were destined for the hands of violent gang members and perpetrators of violence.”

Police said the 10-month operation, dubbed Project Monarch, ended on July 28 when police executed warrants in Brampton, Toronto and London, Ontario.

Investigators said they seized 27 handguns and more than 300 rounds of ammunition.

Salhia said a number of those guns had “obliterated” or “altered” serial numbers, which he called a common tactic to prevent police from tracking down illegal firearms.

Police said they traced 20 of the 27 guns across the U.S., including Florida, Ohio and Michigan. Salhia said police believe the other seven guns also came from the US

Police said they also seized more than $1.3 million worth of drugs, including nine kilograms of cocaine and 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl.

Salhia said police found “large amounts” of seized fentanyl pressed into pills shaped like cars and butterflies.

The investigation began in October 2021 when York Regional Police began checking on a person they suspected of trafficking drugs, police said.

As the investigation continued, police said they identified suspects in London and Brampton linked to the trafficking of cocaine, fentanyl and guns.

From there, police formed the joint force operation, which included investigators from York Regional Police, the OPP, Peel Regional Police, the London Police Service, US Homeland Security and the Canada Border Services Agency.

Along with guns and drugs, investigators said they seized C$155,242, $9,000 U.S. dollars and five vehicles.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on August 10, 2022.