DRPS nab 23 suspects, lay 145 charges in $4.5 million Project Lancia drug and gun investigation

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Published May 3, 2022 at 2:35 pm

Between five police services Project Lancia raided 31 home and arrested 23 people on 145 charges.

A multi-jurisdictional sting between Durham Region police and numerous partners has resulted in 23 arrests, 145 charges and the discovery of $4.5 million in drugs in raids from Toronto to Sault Ste. Marie.

Durham police led its law-enforcement partners Peterborough Police Service, Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, Brantford Police Service and the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario (CISO) in Project Lancia, a six-month trafficking investigation.

Project Lancia targeted a drug trafficking network of Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, Cocaine and illicit Cannabis distribution throughout Ontario.

DRPS landed their first arrest first arrest in the project March 20 after a raid in Markham. The DRPS Drug Enforcement Unit say they found four kilograms of cocaine worth around $400,000, more than $29,000 in Canadian currency and a loaded Glock pistol and ammo.

Daniel Frier, 36 of Markham, was arrested in Toronto following the raid. He is up on seven weapons charges and possession for the purposes of trafficking.

Next on April 11, the DRPS Drug Enforcement Unit followed a lead to the Toronto-area. There they arrested two men and seized 15 kilograms of cocaine. Following the arrest police raided three Toronto homes about found another 10 kilograms.

The 25 kilos has an estimated street value of $2.5 million.

Nino Cunanan, 41, and Ali Baek, 54, of Toronto were both charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking.

Later on April 29 all the police services raided 24 homes as far-flung as Ancaster, Caledonia, Peterborough, Sault Ste. Marie, Toronto, and Woodbridge.

In total police raided 31 homes, arrested 23 people and file 145 criminal charges. Investigators seized $4.45 million dollars in drugs, $226,000 in cash, nine guns and five cars.

During the investigation Sault Ste Marie police made the largest drug seizure in their history. On January 29, police raided a home to discover 975 grams of cocaine, 2 kilograms of crystal meth, and 445 grams of fentanyl. All told the drugs discovered were worth $466,300.

Anyone with information pertinent to this investigation can call the DRPS Drug Enforcement Unit at 1-888-579-1520, ext 5800, or CrimeStoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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