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
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members today during a ceremony at British Columbia's legislature cenotaph commemorating the Second World War's Battle of the Atlantic.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
As storms moves across Texas, 1 child dies after being swept away in floodwaters
A child in Texas died Sunday after being swept away in floodwaters as storms swept across the state.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.