Latest news with #ProjectChatter
Global News
2 days ago
- Global News
32 guns seized as part of $7M Ontario fentanyl bust, most weapons came from U.S.
Police in York Region say they arrested 23 people from across southern Ontario while seizing more than $7 million in fentanyl after a seven-month investigation dubbed Project Chatter. Police also seized 32 guns as well as a number of other items, with a majority of those weapons coming from the U.S. 'Thirty-two illegal firearms that were taken off the streets,' he said. 'And of the 24 that we've received tracing information back so far, 23 come back as originating in the United States of America, with one from here in Canada.' The investigation began in October 2024, when officers began investigating the activities surrounding a 31-year-old man from Richmond Hill who was allegedly a 'key player' in drug trafficking throughout the GTA, according to Det. Sgt. Sean Whittaker. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'As the investigation progressed, officers uncovered a sophisticated criminal network responsible for distributing large quantities of both raw and street-ready fentanyl, as well as firearms, across the region,' Whittaker told reporters Wednesday. Story continues below advertisement 'Recognizing the threat that this posed, an internal task force dubbed Project Chatter was established to aggressively target and dismantle this network. 'Project Chatter uncovered a network that was highly organized and well-equipped.' Whittaker said that the investigation revealed 'key suppliers, distribution hubs, and locations believed to be cooking or cutting fentanyl for street-level sale.' He noted that most of the operations were in Richmond Hill, but there were other locations throughout the Greater Toronto Area as well. This investigation led to 200 officers raiding 15 homes on May 4 where they seized 32 illegal firearms and a large quantity of drugs, including over 700,000 doses of fentanyl with a street value of over $7 million, and seized more than $130,000 in Canadian currency and $18,000 in American currency. Since then, police say they have laid more than more than 300 drug, weapon and organized crime charges against 23 people from across the GTA, Brantford and Niagara Falls. 3:02 'Canada must be secure': New border bill gives new powers to CBSA officers, police, postal workers, Health Canada
Toronto Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- Toronto Sun
Major gun and drug trafficking bust in GTA leads to 23 arrests: 'Dangerous criminal network'
A number of the accused were under court-ordered release conditions at the time of their arrests and some have already been released York Regional Police Det.-Sgt. Sean Whittaker (at podium), the Officer-in-Charge of the Guns, Gangs and Drug Enforcement Unit, and Deputy Chief Alvaro Almeida (seated) reveal details of Project Chatter, and display the guns and drugs seized, at a news conference on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Photo by York Regional Police / YouTube (screengrab) A massive gun and drug trafficking bust in the GTA has so far led to 23 arrests and the seizure of dozens of firearms and huge amounts of the deadly opioid fentanyl. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account York Regional Police say officers from their Guns, Gangs and Drug Enforcement Unit (GGDEU) launched Project Chatter – a complex and extensive investigation into the alleged activities of a man known as Bogdan Butean – in October 2024. 'Intelligence gathered by our investigators indicated that Butean was a key player in the trafficking of controlled substances throughout the GTA,' Det.-Sgt. Sean Whittaker, the Officer-in-Charge of the GGDEU, alleged Wednesday at a news conference where the seized guns and drugs were on display. 'As the investigation progressed, officers uncovered a sophisticated criminal network responsible for distributing large quantities of both raw and street-ready fentanyl, as well as firearms across the region,' he said. 'Recognizing the threat that this posed, an internal task force dubbed Project Chatter was established to aggressively target and dismantle this network.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Whittaker said investigators uncovered a network that was 'highly organized and well equipped.' 'Our investigators identified key suppliers, distribution hubs and locations believed to be cooking, or cutting, fentanyl for street-level sale,' he said. 'These operations were primarily based in the city of Richmond Hill but had reach throughout the GTA.' Whittaker said more than 200 officers from York Regional Police, Peel Regional Police, the Toronto Police Service and other partner agencies executed 'a series of coordinated search warrants' in Richmond Hill, Toronto, Ajax, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Mississauga and Niagara Falls on May 4. Read More This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The raids led to the seizure of 32 illegal firearms – 31 handguns and one assault-style rifle – 15 kilograms of fentanyl, two kilograms of cocaine, 12 kilograms of dried cannabis, 247 grams of ketamine, 38 grams of methamphetamine, 86 grams of psilocybin, $136,000 in Canadian currency, $18,000 in U.S. currency, and three Rolex watches. Whittaker said the fentanyl alone, which amounted to 700,000 doses, has a street value of more than $7 million. To date, 23 people have been arrested and charged with a combined total of 330 criminal offences. Charged so far are Bogdan Butean, 31, Evan Taylor Lee, 61, Scott McFarlane, 50, Eric Allison, 34, and Lucia Stellato, 35, all of Richmond Hill, Dwayne Mark Willis, 32, and Reon Richie Alexis, 36, both of Mississauga, Julien Ragganandan, 35, Darryl Yong, 51, Daniel Vargas, 31, Shemar Tomlinson, 29, Jesse Boateng, 30, Chloe Mitchell, 22, Olanzo Renardo Nelson, 26, Darnell Wendel O'Neil Garnes, 29, and Nathan Edward Stewart, 42, all of Toronto, Daniel Salmon, 31, of Brantford, Kijaro Shyheim Kahleil Thomas-Scott, 29, Jayden Williams, 22, Jaeanna Leandra Livingston, 18, Rondell Solomon, 24, all of Ajax, Tyler Hutton, 26, and Kara-Leigh Ewin, 29, both of Niagara Falls. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'This operation has not only disrupted a dangerous criminal network, it has undoubtedly prevented future tragedies,' Whittaker said. Deputy Chief Alvaro Almeida said a number of the accused were already under court-ordered release conditions at the time of their arrests – and nine of those arrested have already been released from custody on various conditions. He also said most of the firearms seized are believed to have been smuggled into the country from south of the border. Of the 24 guns police have so far been able to trace, 23 were sourced to the U.S. and only one was sourced to Canada. 'These weapons were not intended only for the trade of this criminal network but also would have ended up in the hands of individuals committing shootings, carjackings and other violent crimes in our region,' Almeida said, adding the GTA is 'safer' in the wake of Project Chatter. cdoucette@ @sundoucette Columnists Celebrity Columnists Crime World
Toronto Star
2 days ago
- General
- Toronto Star
York Region police charge 23 people with more than 300 drug and firearms offences
Police say 23 people face a total of more than 300 charges after an investigation into fentanyl and firearms trafficking across York Region and elsewhere in the Greater Toronto Area. York Regional Police say the investigation dubbed Project Chatter began in October 2024, when they received a report about an individual who was involved in drug trafficking across the GTA.
CBC
2 days ago
- General
- CBC
York Region police charge 23 people with more than 300 drug and firearms offences
Police say 23 people face a total of more than 300 charges after an investigation into fentanyl and firearms trafficking across York Region and elsewhere in the Greater Toronto Area. York Regional Police say the investigation dubbed Project Chatter began in October 2024, when they received a report about an individual who was involved in drug trafficking across the GTA. Police say the probe concluded with the execution of 15 search warrants in Richmond Hill, Toronto, Ajax, Mississauga and Niagara Falls. Investigators say they seized 32 illegal firearms and a large quantity of drugs, including more than 700,000 doses of fentanyl. They also seized more than $130,000 in cash and $18,000 in US in cash. Charges against the 23 suspects include drug trafficking, possession of prohibited weapons and organized crime activities.
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
York Region police charge 23 people with more than 300 drug and firearms offences
Police say 23 people face a total of more than 300 charges after an investigation into fentanyl and firearms trafficking across York Region and elsewhere in the Greater Toronto Area. York Regional Police say the investigation dubbed Project Chatter began in October 2024, when they received a report about an individual who was involved in drug trafficking across the GTA. Police say the probe concluded with the execution of 15 search warrants in Richmond Hill, Toronto, Ajax, Mississauga and Niagara Falls. Investigators say they seized 32 illegal firearms and a large quantity of drugs, including more than 700,000 doses of fentanyl. They also seized more than $130,000 in Canadian cash and $18,000 in U.S. cash. Charges against the 23 suspects include drug trafficking, possession of prohibited weapons and organized crime activities. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025. 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 .
