$2.5 million in drugs recovered, 295 charges laid in Durham Region bust: police
Police in Durham Region say they have seized millions of dollars worth of drugs following a five-month investigation into fentanyl traffickers in the area.
In a news release issued Monday, Durham Regional Police said the investigation, dubbed Project Econoline, was spearheaded by the service’s drug enforcement unit and saw the execution of 28 search warrants within the Greater Toronto Area.
Over the course of the investigation, police said they recovered 5.8 kilograms of fentanyl, 4.2 kilograms of cocaine, 205 grams of methamphetamine, 3,000 oxycodone pills, and 30 kilograms of illicit cannabis.
As well, a quantity of hydromorphone, GHB, and MDMA was recovered.
Investigators believe the street value of the drugs recovered amount to roughly $2.5 million.
Eight handguns and more than $300,000 in cash were also seized, police said.
All told, 44 individuals were arrested and 295 charges were laid under the Criminal Code and Controlled Drug and Substance Act.
“Project Econoline has made a significant impact on the availability of fentanyl in areas experiencing high overdose rates,” police said.
According to investigators, there has been a “significant increase” in opioid-related deaths within the Durham Region community.
“These investigations into drug-trafficking and the arrests of those responsible have disrupted multiple smaller trafficking cells and deterred traffickers from dealing drugs within the Region of Durham," police said.
Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world’s most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.
Hot history: Tree rings show that last northern summer was the warmest since year 1
The broiling summer of 2023 was the hottest in the Northern Hemisphere in more than 2,000 years, a new study found.