A probe initiated by the Windsor Police Service 18 months ago has resulted in the confiscation of more than $139 million worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of 21 individuals.
This seizure is thought to be the largest, by weight, in a single case in Ontario’s history.
The investigation, dubbed Project Bay, was a cooperative effort that involved the Canada Border Service Agency, Ontario Provincial Police, Toronto Police Service, Peel Regional Police, as well as U. S. agencies like Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
“A key finding of the investigation was the identification of a broker-style transportation model operating within the commercial transportation sector,” said OPP Detective Superintendent Andy Bradford. “Investigators identified a network coordinating the movement and distribution of large quantities of drugs through otherwise legitimate supply chains.”
From June 25 to July 20, residences in Windsor, Corunna, La Salle, Brampton, Kleinburg, Markham and Caledon were searched as part of this inquiry.
The following items were confiscated during this investigation:
973 kg suspected cocaine
660 kg suspected methamphetamine
49 kg opium
230 oxycodone tablets (5mg)
17 firearms, including an anti-tank rifle
Ammunition
Prohibited devices and weapons including brass knuckles, magazines and baton
C$80,000
US$10,000
One vehicle as offence-related property
High-end jewellery
Money counters
43 cell phones and six laptops
There are two suspects believed to reside in Windsor who are still at large.
A total of 1.7 tonnes of illegal drugs were seized; much of it was taken by CBSA at the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia.
“The intelligence that we’ve gathered from these seizures has helped us not only in these communities but across Canada,” said Michael Prosia, CBSA Regional Director General. “The intelligence that we feed from this investigation will help make intelligence-led referrals at other ports of entry across the country to further disrupt these networks.”
Law enforcement officials acknowledge that while this is one of the most significant seizures from a single investigation in Ontario’s history, these networks remain complicated and continue to pose risks.
“The scope of this drug trafficking network extends into southwestern United States. We continue to collaborate with our American partners-in this case Department of Homeland Security Investigations and Drug Enforcement Administration-to share intelligence and enforcement information to bring those individuals to justice,” said Bradford.
Windsor Police Chief Jason Crowley emphasized that what matters most is that these drugs and weapons no longer threaten people within their community.
“The drugs in this room are not ending up in our community’s vulnerable population’s hands. The firearms here aren’t creating chaos among our residents. Thanks to Project Bay we can expect fewer lives ruined and less family disruption,” stated Crowley.
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