The OPP has released details of a complex drug trafficking investigation spanning nine months.
The goal of Project Daytona was to strategically target key facilitators that supply illegal drugs to organized crime and street-level dealers, according to police.
Eight search warrants were executed last week, in Stoney Creek, Burlington, Ottawa, Carleton Place, Smiths Falls, Perth and Gatineau.
Officers seized 8.5 kg of cocaine, 9 kg of meth, 4 kg of ecstasy, over 100 pounds of cannabis, 8.5 kg cannabis concentrates and $30,000 in Canadian currency.
Twelve people have been charged with 81 offences.
Director Superintendent Bryan MacKillop, with the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), noted targets included drug traffickers who were significantly compromising public safety in communities throughout Ontario and Quebec. He explained the OPP had one goal – to hold people responsible for trafficking drugs and relentlessly endeavour to protect citizens. MacKillop says Project Daytona has destabilized these trafficking networks and there will be radiating effects experienced by the criminals who rely on these facilitators.
OCEB Major Case Manager Detective Inspector Peter Donnelly noted the OPP wanted to go after the drug traffickers at the wholesale level. He says the purpose of Project Daytona was to cripple the very foundation of the drug networks by eliminating the source.
The media conference was held this morning in Ottawa.
Written by Jennifer Westendorp