OAKVILLE: The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) – Drug and Human Trafficking Unit have busted a highly organized and sophisticated drug network involved with drug trafficking, importing and money laundering The seven-month-long investigation dubbed “Project LYNX” resulted in the seizure of drugs and currency valued at $2.5 million.
The drug network had associations to various organized crime groups across southern Ontario.
The network worked collectively with these organizations to import and traffic cocaine and fentanyl throughout Halton Region and Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
Six Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) search warrants were executed in Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Oakville, Mississauga, Bolton and Toronto and several people included Indo-Canadians were arrested and charged.
Those charged were: Terence Yoo (41) of Oakville, Ajmer Singh (44) of Mississauga, Parminder Grewal (44) of Mississauga, Marko Vrakela (34) of Toronto, Sawraj Singh (31) of
Caledon, and Karan Dev (32) of Caledon.
The various charges against these individuals include possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine, psilocybin, fentanyl, MDMA, possession/trafficking of prohibited firearms and possession of property obtained by crime A warrant has also been issued for the arrest of one outstanding party.
As a result of the investigation and subsequent search warrants, the following items were seized; 17 kilograms of cocaine, 3 kilograms of fentanyl, 1 kilogram of MDMA (ecstasy), $1,139,423 million in Canadian currency,, $4,840 in US currency, .357 Magnum (firearm) with ammunition, 2021 Mercedes Benz AMG, a 2016 Honda Odyssey and 3 Rolex watches Inspector Costantini of the HRPS Regional Investigative Services states;
“Organized crime and the illicit drug trade, fuel violence, property crime and more importantly, are part and parcel of the current opioid overdose epidemic. Illicit street drugs are mixed with dangerous precursors and cutting agents, which pose a significant threat to public safety.
Project Lynx demonstrates our commitment to working with our policing partners and community stakeholders to prevent opioid overdose deaths.”