Timmins men involved in huge drug, gun bust (7 photos)

OPP NEWS RELEASE

************************* Provincial weapons enforcement unit - Project Blackhawk

Results in 38 arrests, raids across Ontario, seizures of illegal guns and shuts down Ontario’s largest drug lab

TORONTO - (June 20) - A two-year investigation carried out by the provincial weapons enforcement unit (PWEU), in partnership with the Toronto Police Service, and Waterloo Regional Police Service has resulted in the arrest of 36 individuals, the seizure of 86 firearms, as well as the largest Ecstacy and methamphetamine drug manufacturing facility of its kind ever uncovered in Ontario and possibly Canada.

PWEU officers from police services throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and across Ontario executed 38 Criminal Code search warrants within the City of Toronto, the Regions of York, Peel, Durham, Waterloo, Simcoe County and the Cities of Timmins and Guelph.

The investigation, dubbed “Project Blackhawk” initially targeted illegal crime guns smuggled into Ontario from the United States in 2006.

The investigation focused on multiple criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking, money laundering and firearm possession occurring throughout Ontario and into the U.S.

The investigation revealed massive organized drug networks that were responsible for the distribution of hundreds of thousands of Ecstasy tablets and hundreds of kilograms of Cocaine.

The provincial weapons enforcement unit partners carried out the investigation with the assistance of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Project Blackhawk has resulted in the seizure of 18 vehicles and other proceeds of crime.

A total of 400,000 Ecstacy pills were seized along with a quantity of cocaine and marijuana.

The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security has also reported the arrest of the source person responsible for the illegal importation of weapons into Canada.

Thirty-six individuals were charged.

Total charges for persons arrested: 443

Quotes

“Indisputably, the worse aspect of crime guns being smuggled into Ontario is that all too often, these guns fall into the hands of those who are responsible for taking innocent lives such as those we witnessed in last weekend’s horrific spate of gun violence," said OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino at a news conference today.

"Cross-border crime presents a serious threat to the safety and security of communities on both sides of the border," said Gary Hartwig, special agent in charge for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office of Investigations in Chicago. "ICE is committed to identifying and disrupting the illegal export of weapons across our nation’s borders. We are proud to work closely with our international law enforcement partners to thwart the illegal export of weapons into Canada and improve the safety of local communities."

"Yesterday's policing activities across Ontario are a stark reminder of the fluidity and far reaching effects of organized criminal activity on the communities we serve," said Chief Matt Torigian, Waterloo Regional Police Service. "Project Blackhawk is an excellent example of how police services are committed to targeting and reducing the trafficking of illegal guns and drugs through collaboration, resource and information sharing while building safer communities for all."

Quick facts

The provincial weapons enforcement unit is an investigative unit led by the Ontario Provincial Police, and is comprised of various Ontario police services tasked with combating illegal firearms trafficking in Ontario.

Fourteen police agencies, the Canada Border Services Agency and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives make up the PWEU, with units deployed across the province.

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