The Community Scourge of Drug-Running

"Some of them [are] very menacing in the firepower they possess. And we know that in the drug trade violence is common. The propensity for violence [involving] profit-driven, illegal commodities we're seeing in the community on a regular basis."

"Of particular concern when we look at heroin, a very insidious drug causing great harm to our community, a number of kilograms are alleged to be seized from a Playland in Brampton [Ontario]."

"We can see not only the effects in the community but the real significant risk that it put to the children, some of the most vulnerable people in our community."

Inspector Ryan Hogan, York Regional Police Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau

 

"The success of this investigation is a testament to the effective cooperation among multiple agencies across jurisdictions as we pursue the shared objective of public safety."

"The RCMP's resources across Canada and overseas and our partnership with York Regional Police provide a multiplier effect to our collective efforts to dismantle such criminal networks."

Inspector Marwan Zogheib, Toronto West Detachment, RCMP

Police say they found drugs at an indoor playground in Brampton, Ont

 

Kilos of heroin were discovered hidden in a children's indoor playground located in Brampton, Ontario, when police moved in to shutter an international drug trafficking network. The network stands accused of smuggling cocaine, ketamine, heroin and opium into Canada. The drugs were looped through Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. The drug running was described as a "robust network" importing drugs into the Toronto area from India and the United States, distributing them "through a sophisticated system", according to York Regional Police.

Police in California along with those in three provinces executed over 50 search warrants, leading to the arrest of 33 people. Drugs valued at millions were seized, including ten kilos of cocaine, eight kilos of ketamine, three kilos of heroin and 2.5 kilos of opium. Of deep additional concern were the weapons seized, some 48 firearms along with $730,000 in cash and three high-end vehicles. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration was involved in the investigationm along with York Police, Peel Regional Police and the RCMP.

One of the raids saw police having to smash through an iron gate, part of a high fence mounted with security cameras surrounding a mansion. Tactical officers heavily armed, and with the use of armoured vehicles breached the property and arrested one man whom they led away in handcuffs. The large property on which the mansion stood was littered with children's toys and bicycles. Anoher man arrested, of Caledon, Ontario is charged with trafficking ketamine, conspiracy to traffic ketamine and two counts of possession of property obained by crime.

 

Guns seized during the crackdown operation ‘Project Cheetah’ in Canada. (Supplied photo)

 

During a search of the Caledon property, 46 guns were found; shotguns and rifles, one with a tactical long-distance scope. The guns, though lawfully possessed, were seized "as a serious threat to public safety", under provisions of the Criminal Code, reflecting the nature of the criminal charges. Concerning was the discovery of heroin stored in a children's playground business. The Karebear Playland enterprise is contained in a large, three-storey children's play area with climbing structures, play area, slides and play structures. Three rooms are available for children's birthday parties.

The transnational investigation into a network receiving drug shipments smuggled from India and California led to Peel region where most accused in the enterprise and subsequent raids live. It is where Toronto Pearson International Airport is located, as well as a large base of trucking companies; either or both of which may be involved in transiting the drugs. It is assumed that five of those arrested were taken in California, while others were arrested in Ontario.

An image released by York Regional Police of an arrest made in Project Cheetah. YRP