Four men have been arrested in what the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) is calling Project Atlas.
In the summer of 2023, members of the HRPS – Drug and Human Trafficking Unit initiated an investigation into the alleged interprovincial trafficking of cocaine and proceeds between Ontario and western Canada. The trafficking of cocaine and proceeds relied upon individuals engaging in specific roles in order to facilitate this drug pipeline. They say this included the use of sophisticated hydraulic traps installed in vans for the sole purpose of moving drugs and currency along with GPS devices to track the crime vehicles movements.
Between Thursday, August 24th and Friday, August 25th, eight warrants (three residential condominiums, five vehicles) were executed in the Toronto area. Three of the five vehicles contained covert traps within.
At the conclusion of the investigation investigators seized:
- 126 Kilograms of cocaine
- Over $1.2 Million in Canadian currency
- Three vehicles as offence related property
- Cutting agent along with stamping plates used to reprocess cocaine.
- Money counters
“Given the increasing overdose epidemic and the harms associated with the illicit drug supply, this interdiction of such a large quantity of cocaine will undoubtedly save many lives,” says Inspector Dave Costantini Regional Investigative Emergency Services. “In addition, this major disruption will also force those involved in organized crime to answer for their choices.”
The following individuals have been charged:
- 39-year-old Kenneth Dang of Maple
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (cocaine)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (2 counts)
- 39-year-old Kyu Chang Park of Etobicoke
- Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (2 counts)
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
- 35-year-old Chin Eng Pong of North York
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (2 counts)
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
- 35-year-old Chandara Saroeung Svy of Toronto
- Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (2 counts)
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
All four were held pending bail hearings on August 25th.
The approximate street level value of the seized drugs exceeds $10 million.
A video describing the investigation and seizure can be found here.
The HRPS ended their press release by saying:
“In order to protect the integrity of the investigation and court process, we will be unable to provide further information at this time.”
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