Category: Toronto

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OPP Police Press Releases Toronto

$629,000 Drug Bust – Names Released

(TORONTO, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police-led Provincial Joint Forces Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team (PGNG) has laid 63 charges against nine accused following a multi-jurisdictional drug trafficking investigation.

In October 2023, officers learned of individuals trafficking illicit drugs from the Greater Toronto Area to the City of London and various parts of Western Ontario. The investigation revealed that the individuals had also been trafficking illicit drugs to the Thunder Bay area.

On February 28, 2024, search warrants were executed at seven residences in Thunder Bay, London, Mississauga and Vaughan. PGNG seized the following items:

·      More than 3.2 kilograms of cocaine

·      More than 1.3 kilograms of powdered fentanyl

·      More than 135 grams of methamphetamine

·      Nearly 10 grams of MDMA ecstasy

·      More than 3,700 oxycodone tablets

·      More than 2,000 hydromorphone capsules

·      More than 8,000 hydromorphone (8mg) tablets

·      More than 35 alprazolam tablets

·      Nearly 80 acetaminophen and codeine tablets

·      Approximately 1500 millilitres of promethazine (liquid codeine)

·      Three loaded handguns

·      36 rounds of ammunition

·      Two magazines

·      Drug paraphernalia

·      Counterfeit currency

·      Three silver bars, 15 silver coins, and jewelry

·      One prohibited weapon (brass knuckles)

·      More than $210,000 in Canadian currency

The potential street value of the illicit drugs seized is approximately $629,000.

This investigation resulted in nine arrests and 63 charges laid under the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Please refer to the Addendum of Charged Persons for additional information.

This investigation was supported by members of the:

·      Chatham Kent Police Service

·      London Police Service Emergency Response Unit

·      London Police Service Guns and Drugs Section

·      Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service

·      OPP Community Street Crime Unit, London

·      OPP Offender Transportation Unit

·      OPP Highway Traffic Enforcement

·      OPP Middlesex Detachment

·      OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau

·      OPP-led Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit

·      OPP-led Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit

·      OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit

·      OPP Thunder Bay Detachment

·      Peel Regional Police Tactical Rescue Unit

·      Sarnia Police Service

·      St. Thomas Police Service

·      Thunder Bay Police Service Emergency Task Unit

·      Thunder Bay Police Service Guns and Gangs

Anyone with any information about the trafficking of illegal firearms and/or illicit drugs is urged to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

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OPP Police Press Releases Toronto

173 Kilo Meth Bust

(TORONTO, ON) – Nine accused are facing 44 charges following an investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)-led Provincial Joint Forces Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team (PGNG).

Project CRANIUM began in the fall of 2023, when police learned of two individuals trafficking illicit drugs in the City of Barrie. Further investigation revealed that a sophisticated criminal network was operating out of the Greater Toronto Area, Simcoe County and Durham Region. Illicit drugs were being purchased from a source supplier and trafficked to a mid-level purchaser before being sold to local traffickers throughout Southern Ontario.

On January 21, 2024, the OPP executed 16 search warrants in Toronto; 11 at residences, four on vehicles and one at a storage locker. Seized items include but are not limited to:

  • 173 kilograms of suspected crystal methamphetamine;
  • 56 kilograms of suspected cocaine;
  • 500 grams of suspected fentanyl;
  • two prohibited handguns, one of which was loaded;
  • ammunition;
  • more than $620,000 in Canadian currency;
  • evidence of drug production (e.g. two cocaine presses, etc.); and,
  • four vehicles.

The illicit drugs seized have a potential street value of more than $13 million.

A video about Project Cranium is available here: https://youtu.be/z9B58miX_cA.

PGNG is a joint forces operation comprised of members from 21 police services. A full list of partners can be found below, under “About PGNG.” Additional supports were provided by the Barrie Police Service, Durham Regional Police Service, Halton Regional Police Service, Toronto Police Service and York Regional Police.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information about the trafficking of illicit drugs is urged to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

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OPP Police Press Releases Toronto

Multi-Million Fraud – Nagatheepan SIVANANDARAJAH Arrested

(TORONTO, ON) – A North York resident has been charged following a months-long multi-million dollar fraud investigation involving suspicious transactions at multiple Ontario-based casinos. 

In the fall of 2023, the Investigation and Enforcement Bureau of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) commenced an investigation into suspicious transactions that occurred at multiple casinos in Ontario as part of a multi-million dollar fraud scheme. 

As a result of the investigation, on March 7, 2024, Nagatheepan SIVANANDARAJAH, 42 years old of Scarborough, was charged with the following Criminal Code offences:

·    Fraud Over $5000 – three counts

·    Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000

·    Use, Deals, Acts on Forged Document – two counts 

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in New Market on April 4, 2024. 

The IEB is a division of the OPP, embedded within the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), responsible for conducting criminal, provincial and regulatory eligibility investigations to ensure integrity and public safety within the AGCO-regulated industries.