Drug investigation leads to largest cocaine, meth seizure in Toronto Police Service history
Toronto police say an investigation into a drug trafficking network operating in the GTA has led to seven arrests and the “single largest seizure of crystal methamphetamine and powdered cocaine in the service’s history.”
Police said 551 kilograms of cocaine and 441 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine were seized as part of Project Finito, a 3.5-month investigation into a “major” drug importation and distribution network in the GTA.
During a news conference on Friday, Toronto police said the drugs had an estimated street value of $90 million.
“The drugs were destined for the streets of Toronto and beyond and would have inflicted significant damage on our communities,” said Supt. Steve Watts, of the Organized Crime Enforcement unit.
“Intercepting the flow of these drugs has prevented many overdose deaths.”
Other items seized during the investigation include one firearm, one vehicle, and about $95,000 in Canadian currency.
Watts noted that the drugs came into Canada from the United States, primarily through land border points.
He said all of the suspects arrested in connection with the case are residents of the GTA and were allegedly operating in a “high-level runner” position within the drug trafficking network.
"In any organization different individuals are trusted with different levels of amounts of product... to be trusted with this amount, it's significant," Watts said.
Two men from Ajax, 20-year-old Camron Longmore and Zubayul Hoque, 25, have been charged in connection with the case. Longmore faces two counts of trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, conspiracy to commit and indictable offence, and three counts of dangerous operation of a conveyance.
Hoque has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000. He also faces one count of unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, and unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle.
Etobicoke residents Bryan Sherritt, 37, and Abubakar Mohamed, 30, have been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. Mohamed also faces one count of possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000.
Tenzin Palden, 25, of Mississauga, has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and conspiracy to commit and indicatable offence.
Two Toronto men, Bashir Hasan Abdi, 34, and Lucho Loder, 43, were arrested in the case. Abdi faces one count of trafficking a Schedule 1 substance, two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000.
Loder has been charged with trafficking a Schedule 1 substance, possession for the purpose of trafficking, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000 and over $5,000.
Watts said two of the suspects remain in custody while the other five have received bail.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6975593.1721827455!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.
Canada's envoy to NYC called to testify about $9M condo purchase on 'Billionaires' Row'
Canada's Consul General in New York will have to explain the government's decision to buy a $9 million condo in Manhattan's famous 'Billionaires' Row,' to a parliamentary committee.
Prince Harry says lawsuits against U.K. press 'central piece' in family breakdown
Prince Harry, speaking in clips published on Wednesday from a new documentary, said his legal battles with Britain's tabloid press have contributed to the breakdown of his relationship with the royal family.
Bank of Canada cuts interest rate, signals more to come if inflation keeps dropping
The Bank of Canada has decreased its policy interest rate for the second consecutive time and signalled more cuts are coming if inflation continues to ease.
Wildfires less than 8 km away from Jasper townsite, some structures impacted in national park
As the evacuation order continues for Jasper National Park, officials confirm that some structures in the park have been damaged by fire, but they can't confirm what those structures are.
Olympics: Céline Dion's presence in Paris 'not a coincidence,' says French minister
Céline Dion's presence in Paris a few days ahead of the Olympic Games opening ceremony is 'not a coincidence,' the French government says.
These athletes have been named Canada's Olympic flag-bearers
Decorated sprinter Andre De Grasse and Olympic weightlifting champion Maude Charron will carry Canada's flag into the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on Friday.
Trump rally gunman looked online for information about Kennedy assassination, FBI director says
FBI Director Christopher Wray told lawmakers on Wednesday that a laptop tied to the Trump rally gunman included a Google search of 'How far away was Oswald from Kennedy?'
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.