The Halton Regional Police Service is touting a record drug bust.
On Friday, April 2nd, the HRPS Drug and Human Trafficking Unit concluded a seven-month long drug trafficking investigation dubbed ‘Project LYNX’. The investigation targeted a highly organized and sophisticated drug network involved with drug trafficking, importing and money laundering.
The drug network had associations to various organized crime groups across southern Ontario. The network worked collectively with these organizations to import and traffic cocaine and fentanyl throughout Halton Region and Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). As a result of the investigation, six Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA) search warrants were executed in Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Oakville, Mississauga, Bolton and Toronto.
41-year-old Terence Yoo of Oakville is facing:
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine; and,
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Psilocybin.
44-year-old Ajmer Singh of Mississauga is facing:
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine;
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl;
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – MDMA;
- Trafficking – Cocaine (one kilogram);
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – four counts;
- Possession of a Prohibited Weapon;
- Weapons Trafficking (Firearm);
- Weapons Trafficking (Ammunition);
- Trafficking Property Obtained by Crime – two counts;
- Careless Use of Firearm;
- Unauthorized Possession of Firearm;
- Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm;
- Possession of Restricted Firearm; and,
- Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose.
44-year-old Parminder Grewal of Mississauga is facing:
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine; and,
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.
34-year-old Marko Vrakela of Toronto was charged with ‘Possession of Property Obtained by Crime’. On October 29th, 2021, the criminal charge against Mr. Vrakela was stayed by the Crown. The judge ordered the return of all of his property.
47-year-old Clinton Valentine of Toronto is facing:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.
31-year-old Sawraj Singh of Caledon is facing:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – three counts;
- Careless Use of Firearm;
- Unauthorized Possession of Firearm;
- Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm;
- Possession of Restricted Firearm; and,
- Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose.
32-year-old Karan Dev of Caledon is facing:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – three counts;
- Careless Use of Firearm;
- Unauthorized Possession of Firearm;
- Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm;
- Possession of Restricted Firearm; and,
- Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose.
A warrant has also been issued for the arrest of one outstanding party.
As a result of the investigation and subsequent search warrants, the following items were seized:
- 17 kilograms of cocaine;
- Three kilograms of fentanyl;
- One kilogram of MDMA (ecstasy);
- $1,139,423 million in Canadian currency;
- $4,840 in US currency;
- .357 Magnum (firearm) with ammunition;
- 2021 Mercedes Benz AMG;
- 2016 Honda Odyssey; and,
- Three Rolex watches.
The estimated value of seized proceeds, drugs and currency is valued at $2.5 million.
An investigation of this magnitude and complexity would not have resulted in the successful disruption of these criminal organizations without the assistance of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Center of Canada (FINTRAC) and the Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit (OPP).
Anyone with information in regards to this investigation is asked to contact the HRPS – Drug and Human Trafficking Unit at 905-825-4747 ext. 5331.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
(Update to story on Friday, February 4th, 2022 at 5:22 a.m.)
