Toronto-area police announce results of Project Catfish, 11 suspects facing 55 drugs and guns charges
A months-long investigation into a drug trafficking network operating in the Toronto area has resulted in the arrest of 11 suspects who are facing nearly five dozen criminal charges.
In a news release issued Monday, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) announced the results of Project Catfish, a joint investigative effort with the Haldimand County OPP.
HRPS said the two police forces started looking into the alleged drug trafficking ring in May, which was operating in Halton Region and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
The investigation culminated with the execution of nine search warrants on residences and vehicles located in Burlington, Hamilton, Toronto, Dunnville and Cambridge on Sept. 5. As a result of those warrants, which were carried out with the support of local law enforcement, 11 people were arrested and charged.
Police said officers seized a number of items, including three handguns, two crossbows, four kilograms of methamphetamine, three kilograms of cocaine, 950 grams of fentanyl, $120,000 in Canadian cash, and two vehicles.
A number of firearms allegedly seized by Toronto-area police last week are seen in this image. (Halton Regional Police Service)
"The trafficking of illicit substances into our communities is related to the rise in drug poisonings which we know can lead to tragic outcomes,” Det. Sgt. Derek Moyes said in a statement.
"The results of Project Catfish clearly demonstrate our commitment to collaborate with our policing partners and hold those who participate in these criminal acts accountable.”
The suspects, who range in age from 19 to 51 years old, are all set to appear in court for bail hearings, the dates of which were not released by police. Four of the suspects have been released from police custody as they wait for their court dates.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Polls close for closely watched byelections in Montreal and Winnipeg
The NDP has a slight early lead in Winnipeg while remaining in a three-way race with the Liberals and the Bloc Québécois in Montreal as ballots continue to be counted in two crucial federal byelections.
GoFundMe cancels fundraiser for Ontario woman charged with spraying neighbour with a water gun
A Simcoe, Ont., woman charged with assault with a weapon after accidentally spraying her neighbour with a water gun says GoFundMe has now pulled the plug on her online fundraiser.
Freeland says she is 'not going anywhere' after Conservatives call her 'phantom finance minister'
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland declared she is 'not going anywhere' when pushed by the Conservatives on Monday about her future as finance minister.
Suspect in apparent assassination attempt on Trump was near golf course for 12 hours
The man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt targeting Donald Trump camped outside a golf course with food and a rifle for nearly 12 hours.
Body recovered from B.C. lake after unclothed man leads investigators to crash site
Mounties are investigating a fatal crash north of Whistler, B.C., after an unclothed man who was found along the side of the road led police to a pickup truck submerged in a lake with one occupant still inside.
'Never seen anything like this': Humpback whale catches unsuspecting seal off Vancouver Island
A Vancouver Island nature photographer says he has never seen anything like what his camera captured on a recent whale-watching excursion off Victoria.
'Not that simple': Trump drags Canadian river into California's water problems
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump promised "more water than you ever saw" to Californians, partly by tapping resources from a Canadian river.
Mortgage loan rules are changing in Canada
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has announced changes to mortgage rules she says are aimed at helping more Canadians to purchase their first home.
First teen sentenced in Kenneth Lee case gets 15 months probation
The first teenager to be sentenced in the death of a Toronto homeless man will not face further time in custody, and instead participate in a community-based program.