A lengthy drug trafficking investigation involving multiple agencies across Ontario has resulted in several arrests, as reported by the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS).
During this months-long operation, law enforcement seized significant amounts of drugs, cash, firearms, and other valuable items.
On Monday, WRPS shared details about Project Deception Lake, which was carried out alongside various police services and organizations targeting a group engaged in the trafficking and exporting of illegal substances.
According to their release, on January 12, officers from Sault Ste. Marie stopped a vehicle on Highway 17 East after receiving a tip-off from WRPS. Upon searching the vehicle, they discovered suspected cocaine and fentanyl valued at over $142,000.
The driver, a 23-year-old man from Kitchener, was arrested and charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.
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Law enforcement officers seized large quantities of drugs during Project Deception Lake. (Waterloo Regional Police Service)
A few days later, on January 15, police executed a search warrant at a home on Wellington Street E. in Sault Ste. Marie where they found more suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, along with drug paraphernalia.
The estimated worth of these drugs exceeds $700,000. The same 23-year-old man now faces three additional charges related to trafficking.
Authorities claim that he was also attempting to export methamphetamine internationally by using parcel mail to send drugs to Australia. This shipment was intercepted by the Canada Border Services Agency.
Additional charges brought against him include exporting a controlled substance, possession for the purpose of exporting, possession of proceeds of crime and possession of a prohibited firearm.
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Police say several luxury handbags were seized during Project Deception Lake. (Waterloo Regional Police Service)
Furthermore, search warrants executed on January 13 and February 20 across various residences in Cambridge, Woodstock and Kitchener revealed an array of drugs such as suspected cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, cannabis, heroin and MDMA.
Cops also confiscated over $130,000 in cash along with luxury items like precious metal bars , cell phones , three vehicles , a bulletproof vest , and one prohibited firearm loaded with ammunition.
This round-up led to charges against three individuals from Waterloo region – two men aged 40 and 30 years old respectively , plus one woman who is also 30 years old – for trafficking along with proceeds of crime offences. A similar charge has been laid against a 28-year-old man from Woodstock as well.
The investigation progressed into March when Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) apprehended a 47-year-old man from Orangeville who had an outstanding warrant against him. He faces multiple charges including five counts related to possession for the purpose of trafficking. Officers recovered more than $549 ,000 cash plus additional precious metal bars during his arrest.
Project Deception Lake was primarily conducted by WRPS while receiving assistance from numerous agencies like Sault Ste. Marie Police Service , OPP , Royal Canadian Mounted Police , York Regional Police , Woodstock Police Service along with Canada Border Services Agency.
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