Toronto police have arrested four men and seized almost 400 kilograms of drugs they say were likely imported from Mexico.
Police say the investigation, dubbed Project Cerro, grew out of a separate investigation that led to the largest single-day drug seizure in the force’s history in November.
Project Cerro, which began last October, resulted in the seizure of nearly 390 kilograms of drugs – 364 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, 20 kilograms of cocaine and 3.8 kilograms of fentanyl – with a total estimated street value of $32 million.
Police said four loaded Glock handguns were also seized in the investigation, along with seven motor vehicles and more than $500,000 in Canadian currency.
The Toronto Police Narcotics Unit executed 15 search warrants on Jan. 17 as part of their investigation.
Of the seven residences raided, which police described as “hidden houses,” all were in Toronto. Investigators said furniture used to “conceal contraband” was located in two of those homes.
“The ability to produce crystal meth at a high level, at a pure level, they’re coming from Mexico,” Supt. Stephen Watts of the Organized Crime Squad spoke about the seized drugs during a press conference on Wednesday morning.
This image shows a stash of drugs and weapons seized by Toronto police.
“The only people who would possibly have the ability to supply that amount would have to be cartel based and I’ll leave it at that.”
Watts also said that organized crime groups “continue to take advantage of the opportunity to profit from the harm caused to the community and have raised significant public safety and public health concerns.”
“This is happening in all of our neighborhoods in Toronto, the GTA and all of Ontario’s smaller cities and municipalities through the importation and distribution of illicit substances, sometimes laced with toxic opioids. The drugs distributed by these organized crime groups have fueled and continue to fuel gun violence and related crime and disorder in our communities across the country,” he said, noting that one of the best ways to reduce street violence it is up to us to prevent those who import and distribute these controlled substances, especially across the border.
Deputy Chief of Special Operations Pauline Gray called today’s news “the result of another successful drug seizure investigation”.
“The Toronto Police Service will continue to devote the necessary resources to keep dangerous drugs and people off the streets,” she said, thanking everyone involved in this investigation.
“Make no mistake, investigations like these and subsequent seizures and arrests save lives and prevent further violence in our city.” The news comes nearly four months after Toronto police released the results of their largest single-day drug seizure.
Back in November 2022, police seized 520 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 151 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of almost $60 million during an investigation dubbed Project Zafiro.
Toronto residents Paul Lelutiu, 35, Troy Anthony Robinson, 40, Manasingh Jithavong, 39, and Sohail Baharlu, 34, face multiple drug and firearms charges in connection with the latest investigation. They are all due to appear in court in the coming weeks.
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