Charges in Toronto police's largest international drug bust 'in history of the service' stayed
Charges against 22 people, during what was the Toronto Police Service’s (TPS) largest international drug bust, have been stayed.
The Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) confirmed to CTV News Toronto that, as of Monday, the charges in relation to the joint investigation “Project Brisa,” have been stayed.
“No reasons for the stay were provided to the Court in this case,” the PPSC said in a statement.
In June 2021, Toronto police held a news conference showing off the drugs, money and vehicles they had seized as part of the investigation, which started in November 2020.
“The results of this investigation are unprecedented and include the seizure of over 1,000 kilograms of illicit drugs,” then TPS police chief James Ramer said at the news conference.
The TPS displayed the tractor-trailers that were allegedly used to smuggle cocaine from Mexico to Vancouver, then on to the Toronto market. The tractor-trailers were found to have secret compartments that were X-ray proof to allude border searches.
In June 2021, police said they seized 444 kilograms of cocaine, 157 kilograms of crystal meth, 427 kilograms of marijuana, and 300 oxycodone pills, and nearly $1 million in cash. Twenty-two people were arrested as a result of the investigation, and were facing a combined total of 182 criminal charges.
"Drugs seized and potential harm caused has never been seen before in the history of service," said Ramer.
On Monday, in a Toronto court, the Crown’s case fell apart, and all the charges were stayed.
One of the defence lawyers, Greg Lafontaine, told CTV News Toronto all the accused were free to go.
“Everybody is completely at their liberty, at this point their bails have concluded some very stiff bails,” Lafontaine said.
He said the Crown’s case began to unravel as the multitude of defence lawyers began questioning police investigative tactics.
“They couldn’t do it in a timely fashion. At the same time, they were concerned about the evidence [that] was coming out was tending to bring various police techniques and sources of information into play potentially,” Lafontaine said.
When asked for comment, TPS declined to make a statement.
With files from CP24's Chris Herhalt
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.