Police have laid more than 100 charges against 31 suspects after a series of early morning raids across the Greater Toronto Area on Thursday.
Officers from Peel, York, Toronto, London and Waterloo police services were all involved in the raids, which targeted alleged drug dealers and the trafficking of cocaine and heroin.
The raids took place at more than 50 homes, vehicles and storage units in the GTA. One of the raids took place at an upscale condominium in North York on Harrison Garden Boulevard in the Yonge Street and Highway 401 area. One person was arrested there.
The accused were brought to Toronto's 23 Division and charged on Thursday morning. An officer at 23 Division told CTV.ca that Toronto's drug squad, marine unit and customs officers were also involved in the probe.
The investigation, which began early this year, has netted millions of dollars in drugs. Staff Insp. John Tanouye said officers have seized:
- thirty-one kilograms of cocaine, which has a street value of $3.1 million
- six kilograms of heroin, worth $1.8 million
- four kilograms of ecstasy, worth $400,000
- two kilograms of crystal meth, worth $200,000
- cash totalling more than $400,000
Officers also recovered marijuana, GHB (the date rape drug), steroids and Viagra, as well as replica firearms. Police have seized 18 vehicles.
"This is probably the largest seizure this year at one time done by the Toronto drug squad," Det. Sgt. John DeCorcy said at an afternoon press conference.
The 31 accused face charges of trafficking, conspiracy to traffic and weapons offences. They were to appear at the Finch Avenue courts on Thursday.
DeCorcy said police intercepted a large shipment of cocaine in Toronto on Sunday. Some 20 kilograms of the drug was found in a tractor-trailer that came from Vancouver.
Police described the heroin and cocaine seizures as "significant," and said the drug ring was sophisticated.
Most of the drugs were destined for Toronto's streets and the city's Entertainment District, police added.
