Toronto police say $17 million in drugs was seized after 29 search warrants resulted in eight arrests in the major drug investigation, Project Dos.
Supt. Steven Watts and Inspt. Don Belanger of the drug squad told reporters at a press conference Thursday an investigation began into “individuals they had reason to believe were trafficking high levels of kilograms of cocaine and other illicit substance.”
“Over the course of several months, evidence was collected and led our investigators to believe the individuals were operating a high level illicit distribution ring capable of generating profits in the millions of dollars,” Watts said.
On April 29, search warrants were executed at a number of different homes and storage lockers in Toronto, Vaughan, Kitchener and Stoney Creek.
During the searches, officers seized close to 29 kilograms of powder cocaine, 3,905 illegally grown marijuana plants and close to 700 kilograms of ephedrine (medication used in the creation of crystal meth).
Belanger said the quantity of ephedrine had the potential to yield over $2.1 million when sold on the black market. He added that a kilogram of ephedrine can create approximately 700 grams of crystal meth – which means that 700 kilograms of ephedrine has the capacity to produce as much as 490 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.
Belanger said the marijuana was found at a grow-op in Kitchener. He said the facility was licensed but exceeded the allowable limit to grow. He said the illegal plants had the potential to make a profit of close to $10 million.
Police also seized 20 kilograms of phenacetin (used as a cutting agent in powder cocaine), smaller quantities of ketamine and crystal methamphetamine and over $300 thousand in cash believed to be proceeds from the illegal drug ring.
Quoc Pham, 38, of Toronto, was charged with three counts of possession for the purposes of trafficking a schedule I substance – cocaine, possession of proceeds over $5,000, conspiracy to Commit an indictable offence.
Thi Thuy Van Nguyen, 33 of Toronto, was charged with three possession for the purposes of trafficking a schedule I substance – cocaine, possession of proceeds over $5,000 , Conspiracy to Commit an indictable offence.
Mario Palermo, 19, of Toronto, was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking schedule I substance (cocaine), possession of proceeds over $5,000, conspiracy to commit an indicatable offence – traffic cocaine.
Ai He, 32, of Toronto, was charged with two counts of possession of cannabis for the purpose distribution, possession of proceeds under $5,000, possession of proceeds over $5,000.
Hung Phi Nguyen, 34, of Stoney Creek, was charged with purposes of trafficking a schedule I substance – Ketamine, possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000, Fail to Comply with Recognizance.
Ryan Yetman, 26, of Toronto, was charged with two counts of possession for the purposes of trafficking a schedule I substance – cocaine, possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000.
Amanda King, 32, of Toronto, was charged with two counts of possession for the purposes of trafficking a schedule I substance – cocaine, possession of Proceeds of crime under $5,000.
All are scheduled to appear in a Toronto court on June 12.