Latest news with #ProjectGOLDEN
CBC
3 days ago
- CBC
It's 'the largest seizure of fentanyl in OPP history,' commissioner says after Project Golden drug bust
Police have charged 15 people and seized what they describe as "an alarming quantity" of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine following an 11-month investigation into a drug trafficking network based in southwestern Ontario. In a news release on Tuesday, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said the culmination of Project GOLDEN, which was carried out with support from Hamilton Police Service, other GTA police services and the RCMP, saw the seizure of 38 kg of suspected fentanyl, 19.5 kg of suspected methamphetamine, 5.5 kg of suspected cocaine and other drugs, with an estimated street-value of $5.4 million. OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said it's "the largest seizure of fentanyl in OPP history," adding that "this record-breaking seizure would not have been possible without the dedication of our members and partner agencies." Police seized the drugs on May 28 after executing search warrants on 16 residences and businesses and eight vehicles in Oxford County, Norfolk County, Hamilton, Mississauga, York Region, Burlington and Toronto, the release said. "Project GOLDEN has taken a significant amount of deadly fentanyl and illegal firearms off Hamilton's streets-saving lives, protecting families, and making our neighbourhoods safer," said Hamilton Police Service Supt. Marty Schulenberg. "The opioid crisis has devastated our community, and while enforcement is not the only answer, it is a vital part of the solution. Every gram seized and every gun removed is a step toward a safer Hamilton." In late May, London, Ont., police announced their largest drug bust in the force's history, seizing $2.7 million in fentanyl, along with other drugs, guns and cash. The five-month investigation, including several police forces, led to searching six residences in London, Toronto and Hamilton, where police found close to 35 kg of fentanyl. Nabarun Dasgupta, a senior scientist at the University of North Carolina's Opioid Data Lab, told CBC News in May that the "worst thing we could do right now is crack down too quickly on fentanyl."' He fears a repeat of increased drug toxicity if the supply was to be squeezed too hard and too quickly, like what was seen during the pandemic.
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
Ontario police seize $5.4 million in drugs in two massive trafficking investigations
Ontario Provincial Police say 86 packages containing drugs intended to be shipped across Canada were seized at a Canada Post location in Ottawa on March 10, 2025 as part of a major investigation dubbed "Project BIONIC". (OPP/handout) Ontario Provincial Police held a media conference on Tuesday to announce a historic fentanyl seizure following two lengthy drug trafficking investigations. According to police, the investigations, dubbed Project BIONIC and Project GOLDEN, resulted in the seizure of 43.5 kilograms of fentanyl, equaling roughly 435,000 potentially deadly street-level doses. 'To put that into perspective, a population of 435,000 would be the fifth largest urban population centre in the Province of Ontario,' OPP stated in a release. 'The fentanyl seized through these investigations was mixed with other substances, which has been taken into consideration when estimating street-level doses.' OPP conference Ontario Provincial Police hold a press conference on Projects Golden and Bionic in Orillia, Ont., on Tues., June 10, 2025. (CTV News/Luke Simard) Project GOLDEN was an 11-month investigation into a multi-jurisdictional drug trafficking network across southwestern Ontario, and resulted in the OPP's largest fentanyl seizure to date - 38 kilograms. Project BIONIC spanned five months and was the first of its kind for the OPP. It took aim at an operation utilizing the dark web to ship drugs across the country. 'As drug trafficking networks evolve in complexity, so too must our investigative strategies,' stated OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique. 'We remain committed to cutting off supply chains and taking down criminal networks, because every gram of fentanyl we seize is a life potentially saved.' Police executed search warrants at 16 residences and businesses and eight vehicles in York Region, Toronto, Burlington, Hamilton, Norfolk County and Oxford County. Along with the massive fentanyl seizure, police also seized 5.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine, 19.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, two handguns and a rifle, brass knuckles, and more than $121,000 in Canadian cash. Police say the estimated street-value of the drugs seized is $5.4 million.
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
Ontario police seize over 43 kilograms of fentanyl in two massive drug trafficking investigations
An Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) patch is seen. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby Ontario Provincial Police held a media conference on Tuesday to announce a historic fentanyl seizure following two lengthy drug trafficking investigations. According to police, the investigations, dubbed Project BIONIC and Project GOLDEN, resulted in the seizure of 43.5 kilograms of fentanyl, equaling roughly 435,000 potentially deadly street-level doses. 'To put that into perspective, a population of 435,000 would be the fifth largest urban population centre in the Province of Ontario,' OPP stated in a release. 'The fentanyl seized through these investigations was mixed with other substances, which has been taken into consideration when estimating street-level doses.' Project GOLDEN was an 11-month investigation into a multi-jurisdictional drug trafficking network across southwestern Ontario, and resulted in the OPP's largest fentanyl seizure to date - 38 kilograms. Project BIONIC spanned five months and was the first of its kind for the OPP. It took aim at an operation utilizing the dark web to ship drugs across the country. 'As drug trafficking networks evolve in complexity, so too must our investigative strategies,' stated OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique. 'We remain committed to cutting off supply chains and taking down criminal networks, becuase every gram of fentanyl we seize is a life potentially saved.'
