You can follow him on Twitter @AdamCarterCBC or drop him an email at adam.carter@cbc.ca. Republication or distribution of this content is Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Police have arrested three men on suspicion of importing the cocaine, two in May and one in July. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Rain fills the rest of the week before changing to snow into the weekend. Last . At the time of the arrests, the Sinaloa cartel was headed by Joaquin (El Chapo) Guzman. Investigators said the cocaine blocks were encased in concrete and found stacked four to five feet high on multiple palettes. But cocaine sold on the streets is only 30-40 percent pure, meaning that the seized cocaine could make up to 3,183 kilograms, or $250 million worth, of product, OPP Deputy Commissioner Rick Barnum explained. Some of the stone blocks were hollowed out and filled with the drug, before being resealed with concrete, making it very hard to detect. It's the largest drug seizure in the history of Halton police. Freezing rain and treacherous driving conditions meant for a slippery drive to work for most commuters Tuesday. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. Deputy Chief Pauline Gray told the . The three men charged are Luis Enrique Karim-Altamirano, 52; Mauricio Antonio Medina-Gatica, 36; and Iban Orozco-Lomei, 45. Canada Seizes 1,000 Kilograms of Cocaine Worth $250 Million in One of Biggest-Ever Drug Busts. Mexican nationals Raul Bulhosen, of Toronto, and Borja Vilalta-Castellanos, of Mississauga, were earlier sentenced to prison terms of 18 and 17 years for their roles in the operation. Cosmin Dzsurdzsa. Ana Antunes, 30, of Burlington, has been charged with possession of a controlled substance for trafficking. -. ", Join the conversation We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. The boulders were shipped to a warehouse near Port Colborne, Ont., where they were cracked open and the cocaine was extracted. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Local humane societies have seen a significant surge in the number of pets surrendered over the last year and the cost of living is largely to blame. Here's where the GTA locations will be, New tricks leading to alarming rate of car thefts. London police are asking for the public's help locating 48-year-old Dustin Epp. The massive drug-importation network was directed by Ontario-based members of the powerful Sinaloa cocaine cartel of Mexico. Vito Buffone, of Caledon, and Jeffrey Kompon, of . By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. ", "This seizure will help minimize the violence in Toronto that is driven by guns, gangs and drugs. Toronto police say numerous other police services including the RCMP, OPP, York Regional Police, Montreal police and a number of provincial and federal agencies assisted them in the investigation. The polar vortex hovering over Siberia has generated the coldest temperature on Earth so far this year, and according to meteorologists, it could be headed to Canada next. Whats old is new again Zellers is set to make a comeback across the country, including London. Karim-Altamirano and Orozco-Lomeli are Canadian citizens, while Medina-Gatica is from Costa Rica. Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime is set to face Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina in the third round of the Australian Open. Calgary city council has passed a bylaw introducing new regulations regarding single-use plastic items, including mandatory fees on eco-friendly alternatives. TORONTO - Police in Ontario have arrested five men and seized $5 million worth of illegal. A cement block is shown in a handout photo which police said contained the cocaine. We have dismantled the financial structure of this organized crime organization both here and in Italy., ITALIAN POLICE AND FBI RAID MAFIA IN SICILY WITH TIES TO GAMBINO FAMILY, Police raided 11 cafes in the Canadian city of Vaughan that housed illegal gaming operations. Hawkes said during a press conference on Monday. To order Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Chief James Ramerheld a news conference about the bust Tuesdayalongside representatives from the Ontario Provincial Police, York Regional Police and the Canada Border Services Agency. Members of the Asian Organized Crime Task Force (AOCTF) were part of a lengthy investigation intowhat police say was a syndicate involving large-scale production of methamphetamine.. Those arrests were announced Wednesday by Italian State Police. The life sentences also mean they will be subject to the conditions of their parole or statutory release for the remainder of their lives. Watts said the vehicles and cash will be taken by the Ontario government through civil forfeiture proceedings, while the drugs will be destroyed. Ontario Police Seize $250 Million Worth Of Cocaine This bust happened back in 2017 and is still the largest drug bust in the history of the province. A group representing English-speaking Quebecers is asking for the province to provide more funding to 'significantly underfunded' community groups serving anglophones. The OPP Commissioner Vince Hawkes said, "This is a massive seizure, bigger than I've ever seen in my 33 years of policing.". Mann explains that "investigators identified two addresses here in Toronto are being used as stash houses for these illicit drugs," and following an investigation and search warrants, executed searches on Oct. 5. A 40-year-old northern Ontario resident accused of impaired driving is facing charges following a Highway 17 crash involving several vehicles in North Bay, police say. An Ontario man is struggling to get around while on vacation in Chile after Air Canada forgot his customized wheelchair in Toronto. The accused are expected to appear in an Oshawa court on Sept. 9. Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. Their operation involved hiding cocaine inside large stone boulders that were imported from Mexico and later from Brazil. (The Figliomeni crime family) has benefitted from generations of crime to live a glamorous and indulgent lifestyle at the expense of law-abiding citizens, Police Chief Eric Jolliffe said, according to the Toronto Sun. A 43-year-old man from British Columbia who used that moniker turned himself in to police in Toronto last week, investigators say, and has been charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and participating in a criminal organization. Comments are welcome while open. After a decade, Edmontonians will be able to shop at Zellers this year. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. Load With an estimated street value. A serious crash involving a tractor-trailer hauling a load of logs has closed an intersection in Wellington County just southwest of Arthur. To order copies of Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Officers cut the locks on gambling machines seized during "Project Sindacato" targeting a Mafia crime family in Ontario, Canada. Defence Minister Anita Anand used a visit to Ukraine on Wednesday to announce that Canada is sending another 200 armoured vehicles to help with the embattled country's defence against Russian invaders. A Mafia bust believed to be the biggest in the Canadian province of Ontario has resulted in 15 arrests and the seizure of homes and sports cars worth $33 million. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. British Columbias only program that trains eye surgeons is at risk of losing its ability to prepare more specialist doctors, CTV News has learned. September 29, 2022. UBC regrets handling of Turpel-Lafond, as she loses honour at different university, Drinking too much? The cocaine seized alone would be enough to kill 329,679 150lb adults, and that's not even factoring in the added body count 151 kilos of meth could produce. The Canadian retailer has announced the planned locations of 25 'Zellers store experiences' withing Hudsons Bay. Toronto Police announced the largest single-day seizure of drugs in the force's history on Thursday, thanks to a pair of busts combining for a staggering 671 kilograms of drugs with a value of. They were sophisticated to the point that X-ray (scanning) was not able to penetrate those traps, he told reporters on Tuesday. Prices for food items purchased from stores in Canada decreased slightly month to month in December, Statistics Canada says, but consumers continue to pay more for fresh vegetables, dairy products, and meats. The planets were found near Pembroke, Ontario around 150 kilometres west of Ottawa. The largest drug bust in Peel Police history reveals a shocking load of illicit narcotics, enough to kill many, many people. to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about On August 27, 2018 it was announced by the Ontario Provincial Police that they had seized over $250 million dollars worth of cocaine or 1,062 kilograms worth of the illicit drug. The various different police forces in Ontario have been doing a lot in recent years to fight against drug trafficking and it has resulted in some of the biggest drug busts in the history of the country. Now this one is actually from a while back, 2007 to be exact. A Winnipeg woman says a system crash at Shoppers Drug Mart has left her without her pain medication for two days. At least 32 cars have been stolen In Toronto each day so far in 2023, a surprising figure spurring calls for car manufacturers to catch up in a digital arms race with tech-savvy thieves. Cocaine generally used on the street by consumers ranges 30 to 40 per cent purity., READ MORE: 5 drug overdoses in 2 days linked to bootleg fentanyl in South Eastern Ontario. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. Please see our Commenting Policy for more. All rights reserved. Police say that the 12 suspects taken into custody are facing a combined 44 charges. Two suspectsWilliam Nhan, 23, andScott McManus, 38are still outstanding, police say. Ontario police say they've made the largest fentanyl bust the in the province's history. Clandestine drug labs can be found anywhere both urban and rural areas are not immune, said OPP Chief Superintendent Mike Armstrong. 2022 During the course of the investigation, police say they identified a person known as the "Trap Maker," who was allegedly responsible for building thehidden compartments. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. . Photo of one of three drug labs raided by Ontario police in $5 million dollar seizure. Thanh Ma, 31, of Newmarket, have been charged with possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. A dozen people are facing charges after a months-long investigation that culminated in the biggest drug seizure in the history of the Halton Regional Police Service. Kitchener Fire said there were reports of people living under the building. Gutting IRS Will Help Wealthy Avoid More Taxes | Opinion, Eliminating Income Tax Means More Money for Americans | Opinion, The US Is Being Flooded with Illegal Drugs by China, German Police Seize Drugs Shaped Like Donald Trump, People Are Getting High on Drugs for the Eclipse, Scientists Discover How Magic Mushrooms Make Psilocybin. The investigation, which began in March 2017, led police to the discovery of various caches of cocaine at a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) warehouse, at the Port of Montreal and in Stoney Creek, Ontario. Why you might want to hold off on your purchase, Person driving snow-covered car in Montreal goes viral: video, New Canadian guidelines suggest limiting alcohol consumption to 2 drinks per week, Ukraines calls for aid as Russia renews missile attacks, Architects using 3D technology to help preserve Ukraines cultural sites, Greta Thunberg detained by police during Germany coal mine protests, Canada to send Ukraine 200 more armoured vehicles: Anand, Here are some of Canadas largest drug busts over the last 25 years, OPP bust alleged organized crime ring in Timmins, seize $115K and high-end SUVs, 18 charged, $3M in drugs and fentanyl seized in Ontario, Quebec organized crime probe, 5 drug overdoses in 2 days linked to bootleg fentanyl in South Eastern Ontario, Importation of controlled substance cocaine, Possession of controlled substance cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. Zellers is making its official comeback, with more than two dozen Zellers store experiences opening across Canada, including one in Winnipeg. Was it a warning gone wrong? Chatham-Kent police have arrested a suspect after break and enters at two local restaurants. Police say that the investigation, dubbed Project Icar Deputy Chief Pauline Gray said a total of 520 kilos of crystal methamphetamine and 151 kilos of cocaine with an estimated street value of $58 million were seized back on Oct. 5 during a raid on two Toronto homes. Read more about cookies here. Anthony Mason, 39, of Hamilton, is charged with possessing a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking,, two counts of trafficking a controlled substance and possession of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The haul included more than 1,000 kilograms of cannabis in bulk, edible and resin form, 27 kilograms of cocaine and 15 kilograms of MDMA. Hundreds of cops participated in the raids and seized 27 homes worth $24 million and 23 fancy vehicles, including five Ferraris, worth $9 million. WATCH: Police net $5 million worth of drugs in 'Ontario's largest ever' bust. This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. The Canadian retailer has announced the planned locations of 25 'Zellers store experiences' withing Hudsons Bay. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Cocaine costs around $100 per gram of cocaine at street level in Canada; the drug is most expensive in New Zealand, where it can cost more than $480 per gram. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Colombia continues to be the source of the cocaine seized in U.S. territory, with 92 percent of cocaine samples confiscated. Asked about the significant amount of marijuana located in the bust, Watts said there is still a profitable underground market open in Canada despite legalization. Updated June 22, 2021 9:49 a.m. PDT Published June 22, 2021 4:25 a.m. PDT Share TORONTO - Twenty people are facing rafts of charges each and more than $61 million worth of cocaine, crystal meth and. Trevor Harwood, 42, of Etobicoke, has been charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the possession of trafficking and possession of property over $5,000 obtained by crime. Pedestrian seriously injured after being struck in Halifax; section of Robie Street reopens, Calgary will introduce single-use plastics bylaw in 2024, Pedestrian critically injured after being hit in northwest Calgary, 'Makes me very angry': Winnipegger frustrated after pharmacy system failure, New Zellers store set to open in Winnipeg, Winnipeg seeing a spike in frostbite numbers, $80K stolen from North Vancouver business by employee making fraudulent refunds: RCMP, 'A really big deal': UBC at risk of losing eye doctor training program, Here's what we know about Zellers' return to Edmonton this year, Former educational assistant facing sexual assault, luring charges in northern Alberta. On Wednesday, Halton police, working with joint forces, announced 12 people have been arrested and 44 charges have been laid. Lama Nicolas reports. This months Ontario Court of Appeal decision comes after Kompon and Buffone appealed their convictions and the Crown appealed the sentences. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Through hard work and collaboration our dedicated officers turned a small investigation of a single suspect into a significant project. Grieving relatives of plane crash victims in Nepal were growing impatient as they waited for authorities to conduct autopsies and hand the bodies for cremation. Icarus has removed drugs, guns and criminals from the streets of not just Halton but the entire GTA, Halton Regional Police Service Deputy Chief Jeff Hill said in a news release. The Halton Regional Police Service has made the largest drug seizure in its history. The cocaine, which was 93 per cent pure when it arrived in Canada, was then distributed to other criminal organizations. Police found that the drugs were part of an intercontinental drug smuggling operation with ties to Mexican drug cartels. He commended all investigators involved in the operation, which began in Nov. 2020. 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