Police Charge 34 People In Drug Raids
Posted October 12, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Police have charged 34 people in connection with a series of drug busts across the province including the takedown of an ecstasy lab in Markham.
OPP, Toronto and York police forces were involved in the investigation, dubbed Project Vertigo, which netted arrests in 22 different locations throughout the GTA and Eastern Ontario and the seizure of drugs and drug-related paraphernalia.
Officers seized marijuana, cocaine, and ecstasy – in pill and powder form – as well as pill-stamping machines, eight vehicles, and $150,000 in various currencies. The total estimated street value of the seized drugs is $32 million.
Investigators who surrounded the Dynasty Dr. residence near Steeles Ave. East and McCowan Rd. in Markham Wednesday apparently believed they were going to find a marijuana grow-op inside. Instead they discovered dangerous chemicals used to make ecstasy.
Because of the volatility of the substances, everyone was ordered out of the house and homes in the area were evacuated for safety reasons.
When authorities returned they did so wearing protective gear and with an ambulance and fire vehicles standing by.
Similar raids were conducted in Trenton and the GTA Wednesday following an exhaustive investigation that began in the spring.
In a statement, OPP Acting Commissioner Jay Hope called the busts “an extension of the leadership displayed by the OPP and the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services respecting drug enforcement and delivers on the government’s commitment to protecting our communities across the province.”
Warrants were issued for two more suspects in connection with the case.
