Durham police charge 92 people, seize more than $600,000 in drugs in 'Project Martini'

Durham Regional Police say they have charged nearly 100 people and recovered large quantities of drugs worth more than $600,000 as part of “Project Martini,” a large-scale investigation targeting drug trafficking and drug trafficking. human beings in the region.

“These arrests and seizures have significantly reduced drug trafficking in Durham Region,” said Supt. Ryan Connoly told reporters at a news conference Monday that he would discuss the project's results.

Connoly said the seizures included more than three kilograms of methamphetamines, more than a kilogram of cocaine, nearly a kilogram of fentanyl and more than $30,000 in cash.

Police also executed 11 search warrants and laid 113 criminal charges against 92 people, including offenses related to drug trafficking, property crimes, violent crimes and obtaining sexual services.

Connoly said the five-week investigation focused on downtown Oshawa and was prompted by complaints from businesses and residents.

“Ultimately, these trafficked drugs destroy lives and ruin families,” Connoly said.

Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter also spoke at the news conference and said the survey results send a strong message.

“I want to make sure everyone understands that if you're selling drugs in our city and in Durham Region, you're not welcome,” he said.

He added that drug deaths are a “national crisis” in Canada and called on all levels of government to do more to combat the problem.

“Across the country, we are losing 24 people a day to this drug epidemic,” Carter said. “We have unhoused and homeless people who are struggling – the most vulnerable in our community – and we need to do a better job than we are doing today.

“But it demonstrates that we will do everything in our power to ensure that this is a law enforcement community and that this community will not tolerate the sale of drugs in our community.”

He also praised the investigation for its focus on human trafficking and for helping “the most vulnerable people in our community who are victims of it”.

Connoly said the range of individuals arrested – from young offenders to those well known to police – demonstrates that “the drug epidemic affects just about everyone.”

He said Durham Police would closely monitor those released on parole.