Largest TPS Drug Seizure

A three-and-a-half month investigation has led to the single largest drug seizure in Toronto Police Service’s history.

A total of 992 kilograms of crystal meth and cocaine worth a staggering $90 million along with $95,100 in cash, a firearm and vehicle were seized during Project Finito.

Last month, members of the Service’s Organized Crime Enforcement Drug Squad and the Organized Crime Task Force executed nine search warrants on homes and businesses, leading to the arrest of seven people.

A vehicle was also stopped and searched at a border crossing.

“This seizure does make a difference,” said Superintendent Steve Watts at a media conference at police headquarters on November 17. “This amount of controlled substance taken off the streets creates a market fluctuation in Ontario. In essence, the price of cocaine went up significantly because of this seizure and the excellent work of our members.”

He said the drugs destined for the streets of Toronto would have inflicted significant damage on communities.

“Intercepting the flow of these drugs will prevent overdose deaths which, as we all know, is one of the most heartbreaking and challenging issues facing our city today,” Watts said. “This significant seizure demonstrates our continued commitment to community safety and well-being by all members and agencies involved in this operation.”

Greater Toronto Area residents Camron Longmore, Tenzin Palden, Bryan Sherritt, Abubakar Mohamed, Bashir Hasan Ali, Zubayul Hoque and Lucho Lorder face a mulitple charges ranging from possession of substances for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime to the unauthorized possession of a firearm.

Watts thanked the members of the Toronto Police Organized Crime Enforcement Drug Squad-Major Project Section and the Organized Crime Task Force for their hard work, commitment and dedication to the project.

“The success of Project Finito would also not have been possible without assistance from the Peel Region Police Service, the RCMP and Canadian Border Services Agency,” he said.

Deputy Chief Rob Johnson also acknowledged law enforcement members involved in the investigation.

“We will continue to dedicate the resources necessary to keep dangerous drugs off the streets,” he added.