By Barry Ellsworth
TRENTON, Canada (AA) - Police in Toronto, Canada said Tuesday that they made the largest drug bust in the force’s history with the seizure of CAN$83 million (US$58 million) in cocaine.
The seizure came after a months-long investigation known as Project Castillo and the bust involved a Mexican drug cartel, the chief of the Toronto Police Service (TPS) said in a statement read at a press conference.
“Seizing 835 kilograms (1,841 pounds) of cocaine – the largest cocaine seizure in TPS history – is about more than numbers; it’s about saving lives and making our communities safer,” said Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw. “Taking these drugs off our streets prevents violence, protects lives, and dismantles dangerous criminal networks.”
“This impact is only possible through the dedication of our members and the invaluable collaboration of our partners,” Demkiw added.
Six people were also arrested – two Mexicans and four Canadians – in the joint operation conducted in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), police said. Warrants have been issued for three more suspects.
TPS Superintendent Paul MacIntyre said an estimated 475 kilograms (1,047 pounds) of the cocaine was intercepted at the US-Canadian border. He said police received information in August that the drugs might be coming in from Mexico.
“We started to investigate,” he said. “At some point, we realized that an 18-wheeler was coming from Mexico through the United States up into Canada. It travelled through the states, got to our border, and when it crossed into Canada, we asked the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) and the Mounties (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) to stop it for us,” MacIntyre said.
MacIntyre said the bust is linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
“That is a very violent cartel operating out of Mexico,” he said. “How long it has been operating in Canada, I can’t say for certain, but we do believe that the cartel is associated to this. Hopefully we really did some damage to them with this.”