Numerous charges laid after drug busts.
Toronto Police Staff Insp. Mario Di Tommaso announces arrests in two major drug projects Thursday afternoon.
Staff photo/ANDREW PALAMARCHUK
Police have arrested 16 people and are looking for two others following two separate drug investigations.Project El Mirador, launched in September 2008, focussed on a group that allegedly distributed and manufactured narcotics.Police allege in August 2008, RCMP in Vancouver intercepted a shipment from Toronto that contained 10 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine with a street value of about $1.2 million. A man arrested in the case returned to Toronto where he was visited by several males who demanded their methamphetamine or its cash equivalent."They then threatened this individual with a handgun and threatened to throw this male off a balcony," Staff Insp. Mario Di Tommaso said. "He came to us, and he is a key component of our investigation."On Feb. 5, police executed two search warrants, including one in Scarborough. Police arrested two people, ages 19 and 41, and seized more than one kilogram of crystal methamphetamine and more than one kilogram of liquid methamphetamine.The investigation concluded March 2 when police executed search warrants in Scarborough, Thornhill, Richmond Hill and Markham and seized chemicals used in producing methamphetamine. Also seized were 77 kilograms of precursor pills, more than a kilogram of ecstasy powder, 95 grams of methamphetamine, $615,000 in Canadian currency, $45,000 in US currency, four vehicles, money counters, scales, high-end jewelry, diamonds, Rolex watches and fraudulent immigration documents. Eight Markham residents, ages 28 to 46, face charges.Hao Wu, 30, of Markham, is wanted on several charges, including conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, extortion, forcible confinement, threatening death and trafficking in a controlled substance. "We will be referring this case to Revenue Canada for their investigation in relation to taxation issues," Di Tommaso said. "We're also working with Immigration Canada regarding the status of the arrested parties and the impact of the fraudulent immigration documents on the immigration system."Methamphetamine, a highly addictive drug, is dangerous to make because of the toxic and combustible chemicals that are used.Di Tommaso said the bust is a "big deal" for Toronto. "It certainly puts a major dent in the availability of crystal meth on the streets."Project Fourth Down is a heroin investigation that began in November when police received information about a drug dealer in downtown Toronto.Undercover officers allegedly made eight drug purchases.Police said search warrants were executed at seven homes and that heroin worth $10,000, marijuana worth $1,500 and $7,100 cash were seized along with scales and drug packaging paraphernalia.Six people, ages 19 to 53, face charges, including trafficking heroin.Adeyemi Adeleke, 21, of no fixed address, is wanted on charges, including two counts of trafficking heroin."I urge Mr. Adeleke to turn himself in to police because it is only a matter of time before he is apprehended," Di Tommaso said. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-6100 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).