Latest news with #ThomasCarrique
CTV News
2 hours 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.
CTV News
5 hours ago
- CTV News
Ontario police announce record fentanyl bust; more than 43 kilograms seized
An Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) patch is seen in Ottawa, on September 29, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby Ontario Provincial Police have seized a record 43.5 kilograms of fentanyl following two separate investigations, including one aimed at dismantling a dark web-based trafficking network. Police announced the results of Project Bionic and Project Golden on Tuesday at a news conference. They said the drugs seized equate to 435,000 potentially lethal street-level doses of the powerful synthetic Commissioner Thomas Carrique called both investigations 'historic,' noting that Project Bionic's five-month probe into the dark web was the first of its kind. 'As drug trafficking networks evolve in complexity, so too must out investigative strategies. Today's results demonstrate how our approach continues to address this growing threat,' he said in a statement. Carrique added that the 38 kilograms of fentanyl seized as a result of Project Golden is the OPP's largest fentanyl seizure to date. Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Hamilton Police Service participated in the investigations. In addition to the drugs seized between the two investigations, police said they seized large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, heroin, ketamine and prescription drugs. This is a breaking news story. More to come.
CTV News
5 hours 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.'
CTV News
7 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Watch for kids, buses and don't ‘overshare': OPP
A message from OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique reminding everyone to have a safe Labour Day long weekend and start of the school year. It is that time of year once again when children are heading back to school and numerous big yellow vehicles will return to the road. To that end, police in northeastern Ontario are reminding both parents and drivers to be safe. Back to school backpacks New backpacks line the hallways at Queen Elizabeth II Public School on the first day back to school. September 6, 2022. (File photo/Chelsea Papineau/CTV New Northern Ontario) Drivers In a news release on Friday, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reminded drivers to keep their eyes on the road and 'not on (their) phone.' Police said to watch for young people walking or biking to and from school and to be prepared for school buses to make frequent stops. The OPP offered the following tips to drivers for the as students return to class: Flashing yellow lights on a school bus means it is preparing to stop, red flashing lights and the stop arm extended mean you must stop, give school buses extra room on the roadway, slow down and use extra caution when traveling through school zones and watch for and obey crossing guards. 'Passing a stopped school bus, with its red lights flashing, puts young lives at risk and means a fine of $400 to $2,000 and six demerit points for a first offence,' said police. School bus Parents Police also reminded parents to remind their children about safety rules when it comes to getting on and off buses, or to always use sidewalks and crosswalks if they are available. School bus Social Media 'Those first-day pics are great to share with family and friends on social media, but criminals can use the opportunity to harvest information from these posts,' the OPP said. Police provided the following tips to 'play it safe' on social media: Remove any mention of a particular school Remove all age and grade information Ensure your privacy settings are set properly Ensure your posts are only being shared with friends you know 'Let's all accept the shared responsibility to make the beginning of the school year a safe and fun event,' said OPP regional media relations coordinator Bill Dickson.
Toronto Sun
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Toronto Sun
57 motorcyclists died on OPP-patrolled roads in 2024
Ontario Provincial Police say it was the highest number of motorcycle fatalities in two decades A wife feels guilty for squashing her husband's dream of riding a motorcycle on a highway. Photo by file photo / Getty Images Last year marks the highest number of motorcyclist deaths OPP-patrolled roads in two decades. 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 Ontario Provincial Police say the historic 57 motorcyclist deaths on OPP-patrolled roads in 2024 were due to excessive speed, losing control, failing to yield the right of way, improper passing and driver inattention. With Motorcycle Safety Awareness Week getting underway, the OPP is urging motorcyclists and drivers to avoid the behaviours and actions that caused or contributed to those deaths. '2024 was a tragic reminder of what happens when motorcyclists and motorists drive aggressively, are not paying full attention, or engage in careless behaviours when sharing our highways and roads,' OPP Commisssioner Thomas Carrique said. 'Motorcycle season commands our absolute safest driving practices, heightened vigilance and adherence to traffic laws that are designed to keep all road users safe – especially vulnerable motorcyclists and their passengers,' he said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The OPP says the 18 riders who were not at fault in the collisions that claimed their lives are a stark reminder that even the safest of motorcyclists are vulnerable to motorists who fail to share the road safely with them. Riders between 25-34 years of age accounted for the highest number of motorcyclist deaths (15) on OPP-patrolled roads in 2024, followed by riders in the 65-74 age group (12). Read More 'With the longer days and warmer weather, there will be more motorcycles on Ontario streets and highways,' Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said in a statement. 'Last year's devastating losses serve as a stark reminder to motorists and motorcyclists alike – stay alert and follow the rules of the road to create a safe environment for everyone.' Motorcycle Safety Awareness Week runs from May 1-7. 'Whether you drive a car, a commercial vehicle, or ride a motorcycle, we all share the responsibility to follow traffic rules and ensure our roads are safe for everyone,' Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said in a statement. 'Our government will continue to combat aggressive and unsafe driving by enforcing mandatory license suspensions for stunt driving and a zero-tolerance policy for impaired driving,' he said. 'Reckless drivers who endanger lives must face the full consequences of their actions.'
