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TPS Project Tundra, multimillion-dollar drug and firearm investigation, three arrests and more than 50 charges laid
January 19, 2022 By Blue Line Staff
Jan. 18, 2022, Toronto, Ont. – More than $4 million worth of drugs and several firearms have been seized as part of an 11-month Gun and Gang Task Force investigation.
Dubbed Project Tundra, officers commenced the investigation in October 2020 resulting in three arrests.
Deputy Chief Myron Demkiw said, “The Toronto Police Service has been clear – guns have no place on our streets. These arrests speak to our extensive proactive efforts to tackle gun crime and stop firearms from potentially being used in often deadly crimes that impact our communities. Our dedicated Gun and Gang Task Force use their expert skills and knowledge to support these efforts by continuing to make successful arrests such as these, resulting in more investigations being solved.”
Investigators initially received information on two individuals alleged to be in possession of firearms and trafficking controlled substances. Through extensive investigative efforts, officers were able to secure Controlled Drug and Substance Act and Criminal Code Search warrants.
These warrants were granted for both the residences and vehicles of Shaan Tareen, 33, of Whitby, and Rizwan Gharda, 31, of Toronto.
Items allegedly seized during the warrants included:
– Keltec .380 auto semi-automatic hand gun with a laser sight, loaded with six rounds of ammunition
– Glock 19 hand gun converted to fully automatic
– Glock 26 semi-automatic hand gun
– 17 rounds of .380 ammunition
– three over capacity magazines
– 80 Kilograms of Cocaine
– 2 Kilograms of Fentanyl
– 5 Kilograms of Crystal Methamphetamine
– 500 Grams of Heroin
The drugs have an estimated total street value of approximately $4,000,000.
It is further alleged that $93,000 was also seized as Proceeds of Crime.
On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, the investigation concluded with the arrest of Shaan Tareen, Rizwan Gharda, and a third individual identified at the time as Sire Castillo-Amparo, 27, of Toronto.
All three were charged accordingly.
They all appeared in court at Old City Hall, on Thursday, January 13, 2022, 9 a.m., room 117.
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