Nineteen members of a “well-organized” drug trafficking ring have been arrested, police say, for distributing narcotics in the Hamilton, Caledonia, and Niagara regions.
The ages of those charged range from 19 to 62. Of the group that’s been charged, police identified three of them as the ring leaders.
All of them face numerous Controlled Drugs and Substances Act charges relating to cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. Most members of the group also face various firearm-related charges, including the possession of a prohibited firearm and tampering with the serial number on a weapon.
Some of the other charges include possession of counterfeit money and assault of a police officer.
Police said it seized large quantities of crystal meth, cocaine, fentanyl, and prescription pills. Police also said it seized multiple firearms, ammunition, ballistic vests, Canadian currency, and other items believed to be used to aid in drug trafficking.
The RCMP’s Golden Horseshoe Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit started its investigation in 2023, with arrests and warrants being performed beginning in April 2024. Police said it conducted a third round of arrests in late June.
The Golden Horseshoe Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, which carried out the investigation, consists of members from six different law agencies. These include the RCMP, Hamilton Police Service, Niagara Regional Police Service, Brantford Police Service, Six Nations Police and the Canada Border Services Agency.