Police in the York Area have arrested 22 people, charged more than 400, and accusedOntarioof a "massive gun anddrug traffickingnetwork" has occurred. } has been demolished.
York Local Police said in October 2021 officers began investigating a person believed to be trafficking controlled substances.
READ MORE: Ontario Police Recover 214 Stolen Vehicles, Dismantle 3 Gangs
"As the investigation progressed, a number of Brampton and London-based suspects were identified as being involved in the distribution of cocaine, fentanyl and firearms," police said in a news release.
23} According to police, an initiative called Project Monarch has been launched to "research and target those identified as traffickers of controlled substances and firearms."Seized by #ProjectMonarch:
22 arrests🚔
Over 400 indictments âš–ï¸
27 charges Guns 🔫
$1.3 million in illegal drugs ðŸ'Š
Over $160,000 in cash ðŸ'µCommunities across the state are safer if you do the math.
Details: https://t.co/FMbabcMPjf pic.twitter.com/PM2k4fFhrL
— York Local Police (@YRP) Aug 10 Sun, 2022
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Investigators illegally import firearms into Canada from US
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We believe some of the firearms were brought in through Walpole Island First Nation on the border of Ontario and Port Huron, Michigan," the news release read.
On July 28, officers executed search warrants at his 22 residences, two businesses and 19 vehicles in Toronto, Brampton and London, according to police.
According to police, 22 people were arrested and more than 400 were charged.
Police said 27 handguns, 17 banned magazines, over 300 rounds of ammunition, 9 kilograms of cocaine, 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl, over 20,100 Xanax pills, 28 grams of heroin, 41.5 pounds of cannabis were seized.
"The street value of seized drugs totaled more than $1.3 million," police said.
Police also seized $155,242 in Canadian cash, $9,000 in U.S. cash, and five of his cars, according to police.
According to police, Project Monarch included personnel from York Regional Police, Ontario Police, Peel Regional Police, London Police, Homeland Security Investigation, and Canadian Border Services Agency.
The Ontario Criminal Intelligence Service was also assisting.
Police said an investigation was ongoing. If you have any information, please contact the police or crime stoppers.
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