Toronto police seize more than $30 million in meth, cocaine, fentanyl in large-scale bust
Posted February 1, 2023 10:47 am.
Last Updated February 1, 2023 12:03 pm.
Toronto police have released details of a months-long drug investigation that resulted in a large-scale bust of more than $30 million worth of illicit drugs.
The investigation, dubbed Project Cerro, began in October and saw police make multiple arrests in addition to recovering 390 kilograms total of crystal meth, cocaine, and fentanyl.
The drugs seized have an estimated street value of $32 million. Police also seized four firearms, seven vehicles, and over $500,000 in cash.
Police executed fifteen search warrants at residences in Toronto on Jan. 17 that resulted in the arrest of four men. Trap furniture that concealed contraband was located at two of the searched locations.
Items seized
- 364 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine
- 20 kilograms of cocaine
- 3.8 kilograms of fentanyl
- Four firearms
- $500,000 in Canadian Currency
- Seven motor vehicles, including a stolen 2022 Land Rover Range Rover (estimated value $150,000.00)
Four Toronto men are facing dozens of charges, including nine counts of drug trafficking each.
- Paul Lelutiu, 35
- Troy Anthony Robinson, 40
- Manasinh Jittavong, 39
- Soheil Baharloo, 34
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Supt. Steven Watts says the drugs seized were not manufactured in the GTA and likely came from Mexico through the United States.
Police say the latest drug seizure is a direct way to fight the rise in gun violence in the city.
“The seizures are getting bigger, but it’s also due to the quality of our investigators,” says Watts.
Back in November, Toronto police announced the largest single-day drug bust in the service’s history in a related investigation. That bust saw the seizure of 520 kilograms of crystal meth and 151 kilograms of cocaine.
