Latest news with #ProjectBionic
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Suspects from Ottawa arrested as OPP dismantles drug-trafficking network that police say used the dark web to arrange shipments across Canada
Four people from Ottawa face drug-trafficking charges after Ontario Provincial Police say officers dismantled a network that used the dark web to ship illegal drugs across Canada. The accused were arrested as part of Project Bionic , an OPP investigation that police say led to the seizure of $2.5 million worth of drugs that were destined to be shipped across the country through courier services and Canada Post. The first-of-its-kind investigation was launched in November 2024, when OPP officers took aim at dismantling an operation that allegedly used a dark web marketplace to ship a high volume of drugs, say police. The investigation revealed that orders were placed through a dark web marketplace, then packaged and shipped to locations across the country including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nunavut, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec. The investigation revealed that orders were placed through a dark web marketplace, then packaged and shipped to locations across the country including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nunavut, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec. According to OPP, the dark web is a hidden portion of the internet, not indexed by traditional search engines, and requires special software to access. It employs encryption and anonymity to conceal its content and users. A dark web marketplace is a platform within the dark web where alleged illegal transactions take place. They enable the exchange of various illicit items, including stolen credentials, drugs and hacking tools, said provincial police. The investigation's first arrests were made on March 10, when officers arrested two suspects at a Canada Post location in Ottawa and seized 86 packages containing drugs ready to be shipped across Canada, say police. That same day, four search warrants were carried out on one vehicle and three homes in Gloucester and Nepean. Officers seized a handgun with an extended magazine and ammunition, about $95,000 in Canadian cash, electronic devices and a stolen 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider convertible valued at more than $400,000. Fraudulent licence plates, reprogrammable key fobs and a diagnostic and programmer tool were also confiscated, say police. Illegal drugs continue to pose a significant public safety risk, and the impacts are devastating to the people and communities of Ontario. Join the OPP and its partners for a media event outlining two separate, large-scale drug trafficking investigations — a first-of-its-kind OPP investigation into the use of the dark web for drug trafficking and an investigation that yielded the OPP's largest fentanyl seizure to date. The investigation also led to the seizure of more than 27 kilograms of drugs and 64,000 tablets of 37 different illegal drugs and prescription medications, including fentanyl, hydromorphone, methamphetamine, ketamine and MDMA. Those seizures included 5.5 kilograms of suspected fentanyl, 7.6 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, 3.7 kilograms of suspected MDMA powder, 2 kilograms of suspected heroin and 1.8 kg of suspected cocaine. The police searches continued on March 27, when officers carried out a search warrant and recovered 11 stolen vehicles. The recovered vehicles include two Toyota Highlanders, three Toyota Sequoias, five Toyota Tundras and one Lexus RX, say police. The estimated value of those recovered vehicles is $730,000, say provincial police. 'Project Bionbic exposed the alarming volume of dangerous drugs being sold through dark web marketplaces, with packages shipped across the country. These arrests show that law enforcement can track and stop even the most complex online trafficking operations,' said OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique. 'This investigation also plainly demonstrates the connections between drug-trafficking and other crimes, such auto theft and illegal firearms. This seizure is a major step in dismantling drug networks — whether online or on the street — and reflects the OPP's ongoing commitment to public safety.' Four suspects from Ottawa — ages 24, 26, 26 and 31 — are charged with a combined 85 offences contrary to the criminal code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. One of the 26-year-old accused faces 54 charges, while the 24-year-old faces 29 charges. The other two accused face one charge each. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-888-310-1122 . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
OPP seizes 43.5 kg of fentanyl in what police call record-breaking drug bust
Ontario Provincial Police announced Tuesday that it has seized the largest amount of fentanyl in the force's history through two major investigations. Police confiscated approximately 43.5 kilograms of fentanyl through two months-long investigations, Project Bionic and Project Golden, according to an OPP news release. At a news conference in Orillia, Ont., OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said the apprehended fentanyl amount is the equivalent of roughly 435,000 potentially lethal street-level doses. "To put that in perspective, a population of 435,000 would be the fifth-largest urban population centre in the province of Ontario," said Carrique. Carrique said there's "no indication" the fentanyl was destined for the United States or any other country. "I don't want us to be distracted by the narrative of fentanyl going from Canada into the U.S., and take away from the significant public safety concern around fentanyl," said Carrique. Nearly 20 people were arrested between the two investigations, with over 200 combined charges laid, police said. Police said Project Golden, spanned 11 months and involved a multi-jurisdictional drug trafficking network, affecting communities across southwestern Ontario. The investigation resulted in the seizure of approximately 38 kilograms of fentanyl, which provincial police said is OPP's largest fentanyl seizure to date. The estimated street value of the drugs seized is $5.4 million, police said. Police said officers also captured three guns, three vehicles, brass knuckles and more than $121,000. OPP said 15 people from across southern Ontario were arrested in connection with that investigation. They are facing a combined 140 charges. The other investigation, Project Bionic, spanned five months and aimed to dismantle an operation using a so-called "dark web marketplace" to ship drugs across Canada. "This investigation into the use of the dark web for drug trafficking is a first of its kind for the OPP," said Carrique. Police said the investigation revealed that orders would be placed through the dark web marketplace, then packaged and shipped to locations across Canada using various courier services and Canada Post. On March 10, members from OPP's organized crime enforcement bureau arrested two individuals at a postal service location in Ottawa where 86 packages were received containing various illicit drugs ready to be shipped across the country, police said. On the same day, officers also raided three homes and a vehicle, seizing approximately $95,000, a gun and two stolen cars valued at more than $400,000, police said. Officers also seized large quantities of drugs valued at $2.5 million and a number of items used in car thefts. In a second raid later that month, police said they recovered 11 stolen vehicles valued at $730,000. Police said four people from Ottawa were arrested and are facing 85 charges in connection with that investigation.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
OPP seizes 43.5 kg of fentanyl in what police call record-breaking drug bust
Ontario Provincial Police announced Tuesday that it has seized the largest amount of fentanyl in the force's history through two major investigations. Police confiscated approximately 43.5 kilograms of fentanyl through two months-long investigations, Project Bionic and Project Golden, according to an OPP news release. At a news conference in Orillia, Ont., OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said the apprehended fentanyl amount is the equivalent of roughly 435,000 potentially lethal street-level doses. "To put that in perspective, a population of 435,000 would be the fifth-largest urban population centre in the province of Ontario," said Carrique. Carrique said there's "no indication" the fentanyl was destined for the United States or any other country. "I don't want us to be distracted by the narrative of fentanyl going from Canada into the U.S., and take away from the significant public safety concern around fentanyl," said Carrique. Nearly 20 people were arrested between the two investigations, with over 200 combined charges laid, police said. Police said Project Golden, spanned 11 months and involved a multi-jurisdictional drug trafficking network, affecting communities across southwestern Ontario. The investigation resulted in the seizure of approximately 38 kilograms of fentanyl, which provincial police said is OPP's largest fentanyl seizure to date. The estimated street value of the drugs seized is $5.4 million, police said. Police said officers also captured three guns, three vehicles, brass knuckles and more than $121,000. OPP said 15 people from across southern Ontario were arrested in connection with that investigation. They are facing a combined 140 charges. The other investigation, Project Bionic, spanned five months and aimed to dismantle an operation using a so-called "dark web marketplace" to ship drugs across Canada. "This investigation into the use of the dark web for drug trafficking is a first of its kind for the OPP," said Carrique. Police said the investigation revealed that orders would be placed through the dark web marketplace, then packaged and shipped to locations across Canada using various courier services and Canada Post. On March 10, members from OPP's organized crime enforcement bureau arrested two individuals at a postal service location in Ottawa where 86 packages were received containing various illicit drugs ready to be shipped across the country, police said. On the same day, officers also raided three homes and a vehicle, seizing approximately $95,000, a gun and two stolen cars valued at more than $400,000, police said. Officers also seized large quantities of drugs valued at $2.5 million and a number of items used in car thefts. In a second raid later that month, police said they recovered 11 stolen vehicles valued at $730,000. Police said four people from Ottawa were arrested and are facing 85 charges in connection with that investigation.
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
Ontario police bust alleged dark-web trafficking network that used Canada Post to ship drugs
The Ontario Provincial Police announce the seizure of 43.5 kilograms of fentanyl in two large-scale drug trafficking investigations. Ontario Provincial Police say they've dismantled a drug ring that allegedly used the dark web and Canada Post to ship drugs across the country. At a news conference on Tuesday, police announced they seized more than $2.5 million worth of drugs destined to be shipped to 'marketplace' buyers in British Columbia, Nunavut, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. A first-of-its-kind investigation dubbed Project Bionic, police said they began their investigation into the alleged criminal network in November 2024. On March 10, OPP officers arrested two suspects at a Canada Post location in Ottawa where they seized 86 packages containing various drugs that police say were about to be shipped nationwide. Project Bionic Ontario police say Project Bionic resulted in the seizure of $2.5 million worth of narcotics which were being shipped using Canada Post and other courier services. (OPP) Police said they then executed four search warrants that day in the Ottawa area which led them to seize a total of 27 kilograms and 64,000 tables of 37 different illegal drugs, as well as a stolen 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider convertible valued at more than $400,000, 11 other stolen vehicles valued at $730,000, a handgun, and $95,000 in cash. OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said the bust exposes the 'alarming volume' of dangerous drugs being sold on the dark web. 'These arrests show that law enforcement can track and stop even the most complex online trafficking operations. This investigation also plainly demonstrates the connections between drug trafficking and other crimes, such auto theft and illegal firearms,' he wrote in a statement. Police describe the dark web as a 'hidden portion' of the internet, which can't be found on traditional search engines and often requires special software to access. Four suspects from Ottawa are facing a combined 80 charges in connection with the bust. OPP announce record fentanyl seizure Provincial police also unveiled the results of a second investigative effort on Tuesday which yielded the force's largest-ever fentanyl seizure. Project Golden, an 11-month- probe supported by the Hamilton Police Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, resulted in 140 charges being laid against 15 individuals who were allegedly trafficking narcotics in southwestern Ontario. The investigation began in July 2024 and culminated in the execution of search warrants at 16 residences and eight vehicles in Oxford County, Norfolk County, Hamilton, Mississauga, York Region, Burlington and Toronto with assistance from local police. The OPP said officers seized 38 kilograms of fentanyl as a result, which officials described as 'an amount capable of taking the lives of a moderately sized city.' Another 19.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and 5.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine were also seized, in addition to three firearms and $121,600 in cash. The estimated street value of the drugs seized is $5.4 million.
