Photo provided by OPP
In a coordinated effort led by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Provincial Joint Forces Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team (PGNG) has brought down a major drug trafficking network spanning multiple jurisdictions.
Following a meticulous investigation, 63 charges have been laid against nine accused individuals, marking a significant blow to organized crime in Ontario.
The investigation, which began in October 2023, uncovered a network of individuals trafficking illicit drugs from the Greater Toronto Area to locations across Western Ontario, extending to London and Thunder Bay.
On February 28, law enforcement executed search warrants at seven residences across Thunder Bay, London, Mississauga, and Vaughan, resulting in the seizure of a substantial cache of illegal substances and contraband.
Among the items confiscated were over 3.2 kilograms of cocaine, 1.3 kilograms of powdered fentanyl, and significant quantities of methamphetamine, MDMA ecstasy, oxycodone, and hydromorphone. In addition to the narcotics, officers also seized firearms, ammunition, counterfeit currency, precious metals, and jewelry, amounting to a total value of over $629,000.
Detective Inspector Lee Fulford of the OPP emphasized the grave impact of illicit drugs on society, stating, “Opioids, methamphetamine, and other illicit drugs have devastating impacts on our communities.” He further reiterated the commitment of the PGNG to disrupt criminal networks and stem the flow of deadly substances and weapons into Ontario.
Written by: B. Shakyaver