The OPP say it is a record inland seizure of the drug following an intelligence driven investigation.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) and Community Street Crime Units in Central and East Region began Project BERWICK in January 2020, investigating individuals trafficking opium in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
On April 22, 2020 the investigative team with the assistance of the East Region Emergency Response Team (ERT) conducted a vehicle stop in Belleville, which led to the arrest of two individuals as well as the seizure of 28 kilograms of opium.
Further investigation identified and linked a location in Quebec and locations in Toronto at which search warrants were subsequently executed. It was ultimately determined that large quantities of opium were being stockpiled at the location in Quebec and later moved to the GTA for further distribution.
Evidence obtained from this traffic stop initiated the execution of three search warrants in North York, Thornhill and Wentworth-Nord, Quebec. Two more accused were arrested as a result of these search warrants and an additional 1,968 kilograms of opium was seized.
The Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) and the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) assisted with the warrant executed in Quebec. During the course of the investigation, the teams combined to seize a total 1,996 kilograms of opium.
Based on a conservative estimate of $15,000 per kilogram, the street value of the opium seized in this investigation was just under $30 million.
The two individuals arrested during the vehicle stop were released on a Promise to Appear, and are expected for a first appearance in the coming months at an Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto.
One accused has been held in custody, and one other was released unconditionally. Three individuals have been charged with a total of 10 offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA).
Police say they will not be releasing the accused names for their safety.
The investigation is ongoing.
