(TORONTO, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police-led Provincial Joint Forces Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team (PGNG) has laid 63 charges against nine accused following a multi-jurisdictional drug trafficking investigation.
In October 2023, officers learned of individuals trafficking illicit drugs from the Greater Toronto Area to the City of London and various parts of Western Ontario. The investigation revealed that the individuals had also been trafficking illicit drugs to the Thunder Bay area.
On February 28, 2024, search warrants were executed at seven residences in Thunder Bay, London, Mississauga and Vaughan. PGNG seized the following items:
· More than 3.2 kilograms of cocaine
· More than 1.3 kilograms of powdered fentanyl
· More than 135 grams of methamphetamine
· Nearly 10 grams of MDMA ecstasy
· More than 3,700 oxycodone tablets
· More than 2,000 hydromorphone capsules
· More than 8,000 hydromorphone (8mg) tablets
· More than 35 alprazolam tablets
· Nearly 80 acetaminophen and codeine tablets
· Approximately 1500 millilitres of promethazine (liquid codeine)
· Three loaded handguns
· 36 rounds of ammunition
· Two magazines
· Drug paraphernalia
· Counterfeit currency
· Three silver bars, 15 silver coins, and jewelry
· One prohibited weapon (brass knuckles)
· More than $210,000 in Canadian currency
The potential street value of the illicit drugs seized is approximately $629,000.
This investigation resulted in nine arrests and 63 charges laid under the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Please refer to the Addendum of Charged Persons for additional information.
This investigation was supported by members of the:
· Chatham Kent Police Service
· London Police Service Emergency Response Unit
· London Police Service Guns and Drugs Section
· Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service
· OPP Community Street Crime Unit, London
· OPP Offender Transportation Unit
· OPP Highway Traffic Enforcement
· OPP Middlesex Detachment
· OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau
· OPP-led Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit
· OPP-led Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit
· OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit
· OPP Thunder Bay Detachment
· Peel Regional Police Tactical Rescue Unit
· Sarnia Police Service
· St. Thomas Police Service
· Thunder Bay Police Service Emergency Task Unit
· Thunder Bay Police Service Guns and Gangs
Anyone with any information about the trafficking of illegal firearms and/or illicit drugs is urged to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit ontariocrimestoppers.ca.