Cops smash alleged criminal network, seize $14M worth of drugs, charge 17

Article content

Police seized $14 million worth of narcotics, including cocaine, ketamine, and methamphetamine during a year-long investigation that was triggered by a violent home invasion in Vaughan where an officer fired shots.

York Regional Police said officers charged 17 people with 83 charges as part of an investigation known as  Project Skyfall.

“Investigators have highlighted the multifaceted and complex nature of violent and profit-driven crime,” said Police Chief Jim MacSween.

The probe was initiated after police responded to a home invasion in Vaughan’s Forest Dr.-Harmonia Cres. area last Dec. 24. Police alleged the investigation revealed the existence of a larger criminal network that was actively planning home invasions, armed robberies and trafficking drugs.

In the case of the Christmas Eve home invasion, police alleged three masked suspects forced their way into a home, held the occupants at gunpoint and assaulted them while making demands for money.

When officers arrived, one fired shots after encountering the bandits. One suspect was taken into custody, while two thugs fled.

While no one was hurt, police alleged one of the home invaders dropped a loaded firearm.

Recommended video

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Play Video

With the assistance of Toronto and Peel Regional, a large-scale investigation eventually got underway.

Cops say six of the 17 people charged were on bail or another forms of release at the time of their arrests, four were bound by weapons prohibition orders, and one suspect was allegedly accessing information at the Ministry of Transportation to benefit the criminal network.

During the investigation, officers executed 48 search warrants, recovered two handguns, one shotgun and seized drugs with a street value of more than  $14.4 million.