York Regional Police made a major drug bust in the Greater Toronto Area, seizing around $2.5 million worth of drugs, 18 firearms, vehicles and cash as part of an investigation targeting a “large-scale” gun and drug trafficking network.
The investigation called “Project Lookout,” targeted the street gang known as the Haywan Gang, spanned across 14 months and led to charges being laid against 20 people.
“The arrest and seizures made during Project Lookout will save lives and make a significant impact in our community,” said Insp. Richard Gaudet during a news conference on Wednesday.
The joint forces operation to target the gang was formed in April of last year and involved investigators from York, Toronto, Peel, OPP, the Canada Border Services Agency and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada.
“This street gang originated in the City of Toronto, but was now believed to be involved in the trafficking of firearms and drugs in the southern part of York Region,” said Gaudet.
“The team identified a sophisticated criminal network that trafficked large quantities of firearms and high quality cocaine across the GTA.”
Investigators managed to identify the Haywan Gang’s alleged firearm and drug supplier according to police.
The bulk of the cocaine was being trafficked within the City of Vaughan.
Over 200 police officers carried out coordinated search warrants at 33 locations across the GTA on June 5.
Those arrested in the investigation now face a total of 295 combined charges, including drug offences and a range of weapons charges.
Deputy Chief Alvaro Almeida said the results of Project Lookout are “likely to significantly disrupt the operations of this criminal group.”
Police seized 19.8 kilograms of cocaine, 4.8 kilograms of cannabis and a quantity of MDMA, Xanax pills and oxycodone pills.
“The cocaine seized during this investigation has been analyzed as well. It was found to be between 89% to 97% pure, which suggests that the arrested suppliers are linked to the highest levels of organized crime cocaine importers,” said Gaudet.
“We believe that these drugs were destined for the street level dealers who will peddle these dangerous substances in our community after diluting them with fillers to maximize profits.”
In addition to the drugs, police seized $244,335 in Canadian currency, four vehicles and luxury watches thought to be valued at $255,000.
The guns seized primarily originated from the United States and were smuggled into Canada illegally.
The investigation remains ongoing and police are asking anyone with further information to contact York regional police or call crime stoppers anonymously.