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Toronto Police make multiple arrests and seize over $30 million in cocaine and crystal methamphetamine in months-long drug investigation
February 1, 2023 By Blue Line Staff / Toronto Police Service
Feb. 1, 2023, Toronto, Ont. – Deputy Chief Pauline Gray of Specialized Operations was joined by Superintendent Steve Watts of Organized Crime Enforcement to announce the results of Project Cerro, an investigation into the distribution of large volumes of illicit drugs in the Toronto area.
Project Cerro resulted in the seizure of almost 390 kilograms of drugs – 364 kilos of crystal methamphetamine, 20 kilos of cocaine, and 3.8 kilos of fentanyl – with a total estimated street value of $32 million. Four firearms were also seized in the investigation, along with seven motor vehicles, and over $500,000 in Canadian currency.
This follows the announcement made in November 2022 about the largest single-day drug seizure in the history of the Toronto Police Service in a related investigation dubbed Project Zafiro, where 671 kilograms of illicit drugs were seized worth almost $60 million. Three people have now been arrested in connection with Project Zafiro, and an additional four in connection with Project Cerro.
Project Cerro
On Jan. 17, members of the Toronto Police Service Drug Squad executed a number of search warrants resulting in the arrests of four men in relation to Project Cerro.
Fifteen search warrants were executed, including on seven vehicles. The residences that were searched are located in Toronto. Traps furniture, used to conceal contraband, was located at two of these residences.
The search warrants led to the seizure of:
- 20 kilograms of cocaine
- 3.8 kilograms of fentanyl
- 364 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine
- four firearms
- over $500,000 in Canadian Currency
- seven motor vehicles, including a stolen 2022 Land Rover Range Rover (estimated value $150,000.00)
Total estimated street value of drugs seized: $32,000,000.00.
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