Mann says that police have identified three people in connection with the busts, and that arrests are forthcoming. This bust happened back in 2017 and is still the largest drug bust in the history of the province. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited. During the course of the investigation, police say they identified a person known as the "Trap Maker," who was allegedly responsible for building thehidden compartments. To order copies of Mexican nationals Raul Bulhosen, of Toronto, and Borja Vilalta-Castellanos, of Mississauga, were earlier sentenced to prison terms of 18 and 17 years for their roles in the operation. The accused are expected to appear in an Oshawa court on Sept. 9. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. Comments are welcome while open. Ontario Provincial Police said Monday, . This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The court of appeal noted that the sentencing judge failed to take into consideration that Buffone and Kompon committed the offences in association with a criminal organization. All rights reserved. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Please see our Commenting Policy for more. Kitchener Fire said there were reports of people living under the building. Three men have been arrested, accused of importing 1,062 kilograms of pure cocaine. presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution WATCH: Police net $5 million worth of drugs in 'Ontario's largest ever' bust. They stood at the head of the sophisticated criminal organization which: had established trade routes and three large, remote commercial warehouses; used secure lines of communication and a fleet of company vehicles; employed meticulous record-keeping; and, drew from a reservoir of shell companies, false identities, and fraudulent documents to lend legitimacy to their operations, the appeals court noted. Ontario police make largest drug bust in its history, seize $250M of cocaine. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. Thanh Ma, 31, of Newmarket, have been charged with possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution. Police have arrested three men on suspicion of importing the cocaine, two in May and one in July. 2023 Toronto Sun, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. They allegedly seized 444 kilograms of cocaine, 157 kilograms of crystal meth, 427 kilograms of marijuana and 300 oxycodone pills. They have been charged with various drug-related offences including possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, production of a controlled substance, trafficking in a controlled substance and set trap with intent to cause bodily harm. Whats old is new again Zellers is set to make a comeback across the country, including London. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings. While the City of Montreal continues its snow-clearing operations from last Fridays storm, there is even more snow in the forecast. Use of this Website assumes acceptance of Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy, Stay up to date on the latest, breaking news, Police tape is shown in Toronto on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. A 41-year-old London woman, who cant be named because of a publication ban, has been charged with careless use of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of a firearm knowing it is prohibited, possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition, possession of a controlled substance for trafficking and unlawfully produce substance. This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. Toronto Drug Squad Acting Insp. A 28-year-old man is facing a second-degree murder charge after a man was killed in East Walton, N.S., earlier this week. There was enough of the substance to make a literal display wall. This months Ontario Court of Appeal decision comes after Kompon and Buffone appealed their convictions and the Crown appealed the sentences. Police found that the drugs were part of an intercontinental drug smuggling operation with ties to Mexican drug cartels. Acting Toronto Police Chief Jim Ramer said the bust would significantly impact the supply of illicit drugs in the GTA. WATCH: Police net $5 million worth of drugs in Ontarios largest ever bust. Legal Statement. But cocaine sold on the streets is only 30-40 percent pure, meaning that the seized cocaine could make up to 3,183 kilograms, or $250 million worth, of product, OPP Deputy Commissioner Rick Barnum explained. Sgt. Lama Nicolas reports. Investigators also seized one Glock handgun.Vehicles seized as part of 'Project Brisa' are shown in a TPS handout image. Members of the Asian Organized Crime Task Force (AOCTF) were part of a lengthy investigation intowhat police say was a syndicate involving large-scale production of methamphetamine.. This bust happened back in November of 2020. The arrests included the reputed head of the crime family, Angelo Figliomeni, who was charged with directing a criminal organization, money laundering and fraud, police said. "They are high-level players in importation and selling tons of cocaine.". THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy, Zellers is returning to Canada. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Zellers is returning to Canada. Did she also murder her husband? A St. Thomas man has been sentenced to more than six years in prison after being convicted of drug and weapons charges in a case that also involved a London-area MP's daughter. Officials say this led to the dismantling of three drug labs in the GTA which were used to mix, press and mass produce methamphetamine. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. "The previous record, which was set in April of this year, the unit had seized 286 kilograms of cocaine and crystal methamphetamine at that time," Mann told media, standing before rows upon rows of bagged and tagged packages of drugs. A few of the random stones would have cocaine. James Ferrier, 27, of Toronto, has been charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and possession of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. Calgary paramedics rushed a pedestrian to hospital on Wednesday after he was hit by a vehicle in the community of Montgomery. Toronto police announcedthe results of what the force is calling itslargest-ever "international drug takedown" on Tuesday morning. The plants were being watered via a system of plastic pipes running from a pond and an above-ground swimming pool. ", "The drugs that were seized in the stash houses were destined for our neighbourhoods, [and] intercepting the flow of these drugs have prevented possible overdoses, which we all know is an epidemic facing our communities as we speak. "Project Sindicato". (York Regional Police). Kitchener Fire said there were reports of people living under the building. Use of this Website assumes acceptance of Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy, Stay up to date on the latest, breaking news. It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. This was back when Marijuana was still completely illegal in the entire country. Defence Minister Anita Anand used a visit to Ukraine on Wednesday to announce that Canada is sending another 200 armoured vehicles to help with the embattled country's defence against Russian invaders. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. On Wednesday, Halton police, working with joint forces, announced 12 people have been arrested and 44 charges have been laid. Drug smugglers had managed to evade sniffer dogs by hiding the cocaine in large stone blocks. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. A group representing English-speaking Quebecers is asking for the province to provide more funding to 'significantly underfunded' community groups serving anglophones. Local humane societies have seen a significant surge in the number of pets surrendered over the last year and the cost of living is largely to blame. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Winnipeg has seen a sharp increase in the number of people admitted to the hospital with frostbite in the last year. expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto Inside of the palettes were numerous rocks. rights reserved. The investigation, which began in March 2017, led police to the discovery of various caches of cocaine at a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) warehouse, at the Port of Montreal and in Stoney Creek, Ontario. Lama Nicolas reports. An international operation titled Project Cobra led to one of the largest drug busts in Alberta's history. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. . Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The boulders were shipped to a warehouse near Port Colborne, Ont., where they were cracked open and the cocaine was extracted. The polar vortex hovering over Siberia has generated the coldest temperature on Earth so far this year, and according to meteorologists, it could be headed to Canada next. Contraband seized during drug investigation Project Icaraus are displayed at Halton Regional Police headquarters on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. tap here to see other videos from our team. Epp is a former teacher at Oakridge Secondary School in London, Ont. Zellers is making its comeback this spring, and there are plans to open two stores in Ottawa and one in Gatineau. -. A 40-year-old northern Ontario resident accused of impaired driving is facing charges following a Highway 17 crash involving several vehicles in North Bay, police say. To order Please try again. By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Investigators said the cocaine blocks were encased in concrete and found stacked four to five feet high on multiple palettes. Yup, it was hidden in plain sight in a cornfield. A Winnipeg woman says a system crash at Shoppers Drug Mart has left her without her pain medication for two days. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I will say there are definite connections to Mexico and the Mexican cartel.. Steve Watts said the trap compartments were extremely difficult to detect and penetrate. In total, police seized 120 kilograms of pure methamphetaminewhich amounts to about four million pills, 110,483 meth pills, 14 kilograms of meth powder, five motor vehicles and $81,000 in cash. Im extremely proud of the work done by all the officers involved. To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). The largest drug bust in Peel Police history reveals a shocking load of illicit narcotics, enough to kill many, many people. The man accused in the largest single-day drug and gun bust in Toronto's history is speaking out, saying on the stand at his trial that he's a not a major drug dealer, but a "bio-energy. At the time of their original sentencing, Buffone and Kompon were 53 and 46 years old, respectively. This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Watts said the vehicles and cash will be taken by the Ontario government through civil forfeiture proceedings, while the drugs will be destroyed. Terrence Hancock, 45, of London, has been charged with careless storage of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of a weapon knowing it is unauthorized, possession of a restricted weapon with ammunition, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and unlawfully produce substance. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! It Soon May Be Illegal To Spank Your Kids in Canada, RealestK Continues To Fuel His Momentum With His New Single Wish You Well Detailing How To Move On From A Lost Love, Rapper Dirty30 Drops New Banger Tell Sum Where He Raps Nonstop Over A Heavy Detroit Styled Instrumental, Montreal Rapper GeeFaizel Hosted A Food And Clothes Giveback In His Neighbourhood Ct Des Neige To Uplift His Community, Burna Bandz Just Dropped His Latest Project Bandemic And Its Filled With Multiple Bangers, NgnRckless Gets Blunt About His Mind State On His Latest Self Made That Features A Endless Flow Over A Groovy Instrumental. Anyone with information about either suspect is asked to call investigators. Toronto police say numerous other police services including the RCMP, OPP, York Regional Police, Montreal police and a number of provincial and federal agencies assisted them in the investigation. Police raided homes in Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, and the GTA on April 30 and seized over 1.4 kilograms of cocaine, approximately 180 grams of fentanyl . READ MORE: Roughly enough Heroin to supply an estimated 500,000 heroin users for a month. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Sign up to stay up to date with News, Sports, Events and Top Stories from within the 6ix. Buffone operated a warehouse that re-marketed damaged goods. It's most likely the largest drug bust in Canadian history by a police service, and it stretched from Toronto to southwestern Ontario. Police handout Ontario Provincial Police say officers have made the largest fentanyl bust in the. I cant really say the source of the cocaine, to where it was actually produced, Barnum said. Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime is set to face Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina in the third round of the Australian Open. is facing a dozen charges after Huron County OPP found him allegedly impaired and passed out in the parking lot of an LCBO while behind the wheel earlier this month, police said. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. They can also lead to a wide spectrum of violent acts and property crimes involving criminal organizations, he added. If you do not yet have a Torstar account, you can create one now (it is free), Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. We need to protect the community from drug dealers and hold those who traffic accountable, he said. REPUTED MOB BOSS ESCAPES PRISON IN URUGUAY: REPORT. Investigators executed seven search warrants at residences and businesses across the Greater Toronto Area, and two search warrantsin the Campbellford and Warkworth areas on July 2013. As you are well aware, fentanyl is one of those examples during this opioid crisis that we face today and that contributes to filling our morgues every day.. A drug bust announced today by Collingwood OPP is likely one of the largest ever in the community according to the local detachment commander. They were sophisticated to the point that X-ray (scanning) was not able to penetrate those traps, he told reporters on Tuesday. Not even X-ray scans wereableto penetrate those traps, police say. Three men have been arrested on suspicion of importing the drug, which was hidden inside hollowed-out garden stones and brought to Canada via sea from Argentina, Ontario Provincial Police said Monday, the National Post reported. Twenty people are facing rafts of charges each and more than $61 million worth of cocaine, crystal meth and marijuana was seized in what Toronto police are calling the largest drug seizure in the services history. Trevor Harwood, 42, of Etobicoke, has been charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the possession of trafficking and possession of property over $5,000 obtained by crime. A new city of Ottawa report says the closure of Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill has "not caused a total failure of the transportation network" in the downtown core. Vehicles seized as part of 'Project Brisa' are shown in a TPS handout image. It was strategic, it was intelligence-led and it was focused on preventing community harm and preserving community wellbeing.. In a news release, investigators said shipping the drugs was made possible by the installation of hydraulic traps in tractor trailers, which were in turn able to smuggle 100 kilograms in a single trip. Barrett Gabriel said Project Icarus also disrupted illegal cannabis and cocaine processing facilities. Last . The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. © 2017 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. OPP displays huge cocaine wall after $250m drug bust, WATCH: The Ontario Provincial Police displayed a huge wall of pure cocaine worth $250 million, seized in what they called their biggest drug bust in history Aug 28, 2017. The drug investigation, dubbed Project Icarus, started in October 2020 and has resulted in the seizure of 27 kilograms of cocaine, 15 kilograms of ecstasy, over 1000 kilograms of cannabis in bulk, edible, and resin form, one .40 caliber Glock handgun, one 9mm Glock handgun, prohibited magazines, and one 12 gauge shotgun and 1,100 rounds of ammunition. Before appearing on the latest, breaking news done by All the officers involved is a teacher... Of Argentina in the entire country preferences and repeat visits essential for the of... 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