Drugs, weapons seized, four arrested following Halton police’s Project Breakdown
Published July 10, 2024 at 10:01 am
A five-month investigation led by Halton police has resulted in a large weapons and drug seizure and several arrests.
Project Breakdown began in February and was conducted by members of the Halton police Regional Drug and Organized Crime Unit and the 2 District CIB – Street Crime Unit.
It targeted a fentanyl and firearms trafficking network operating in Halton Region, Hamilton and southwestern Ontario.
On June 25, with the assistance of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Brantford Police Service, and Hamilton Police Service, nine search warrants were executed in Oxford County, Brant County, Haldimand County, and the City of Hamilton.
As a result of the investigation, the following items were located and seized:
- A loaded Sig Sauer 9mm handgun with an extended magazine containing 22 rounds of ammunition
- A 9 mm Taurus handgun with 16 rounds of ammunition
- A Canuck pump action shotgun with 19 rounds of ammunition
- A Remington 870 pump action shotgun
- A Remington sawed off shotgun with 12 shotgun shells
- A Black Savage .22 caliber long gun with two fully loaded high capacity magazines containing 62 rounds of ammunition
- A Weatherby Vanguard .257 calibre long gun
- More than 1,800 rounds of various ammunition
- A 3D-printed handgun receiver
- Over half-a-kilogram of fentanyl
- 11 ounces of cocaine
- Approximately 100 Xanax tablets
Rahim Redha, 21, of Caledonia, Ibrahim Redha, 44, of Norwich, Seth Roswell, 24, of Scotland, Ont., and Layla Vargas, 20, of Brampton face a combined 79 charges which include firearm offences, drug and firearms trafficking, and armed robbery with a firearm.
Additional arrests and charges are anticipated.
“The trafficking of illicit substances, particularly fentanyl, into our community is related to the rise in drug poisonings which we know can lead to tragic outcomes. Similarly, trafficking and possessing firearms is a direct threat to public safety,” said Det.-Sgt. Ron Wright of the 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau.
“The results of Project Breakdown clearly demonstrate our commitment to collaborate and hold those who partake in these criminal acts accountable. Everyone involved should be commended for their diligent work that led to these impressive results.”
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) Regional Drug and Organized Crime Unit at 905-825-4747, ext. 5331.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or at the website.
