Toronto police have arrested 21 suspects after conducting a series of pre-dawn raids at locations in and around the northwest part of the city.
Deputy Chief Tony Warr said officers from several local forces, as well as Toronto's Guns and Gangs Task Force and Emergency Task Force, executed warrants at 22 homes and a number of vehicles.
The operation targeted a gang known as "MS-13" that was allegedly trafficking drugs and weapons. Warr said the name stands for Mara Salvatrucha, and the gang originated in South America.
"It's a large international gang. It's had a lot of members in the (United) States, a lot of members in South America," Warr told reporters at a press conference late Wednesday afternoon.
Four of the raids took place in Peel, one in York, and the remainder were in Toronto.
Warr said officers have seized a large quantity of cocaine, firearms and other prohibited weapons, drug trafficking paraphernalia and significant amount of cash related to the proceeds of crime.
Some of the accused are alleged to be members of the gang, while some are associated through their alleged distribution of drugs and weapons, police said.
At least two people were arrested in the Victoria Park and St. Clair Avenues area. Police also seized computer equipment in the sweep.
The operation began in the spring, said Warr, who added the investigation is continuing and more arrests could be made.
He wouldn't release any more details of the operation, saying the number of charges and additional information would be released at a press conference on Thursday morning.
