Milton trucking company allegedly a transfer hub in huge, international drug operation
Published October 26, 2022 at 2:08 pm
A Milton trucking company was one of two “transfer hubs” allegedly involved in the distribution of illicit drugs worth millions of dollars.
North King Logistics, a commercial trucking company located at 50 Steeles Ave. in Milton, and Friend Furniture, a business located at 2835 Argentia Rd. in Mississauga, were transfer hubs allegedly involved in a huge drug bust, Peel Regional Police said in a press conference today (Oct. 26).
The bust was Peel Regional Police’s biggest-ever drug investigation, dubbed Project Zucaritas (Spanish for sugar or sugar cereal).
The investigation started in November of 2021 and Peel police partnered with U.S. Homeland Security authorities in Detroit and Chicago in addition to border services cops in Buffalo in conducting the massive international drug trafficking probe.
Police seized 383 kilograms of cocaine (166 kg, worth $13.2 million), methamphetamines (182 kg, worth $10.9 million) and ketamine worth an estimated $25.2 million on the street.
Police wouldn’t say how many drugs were seized in the Milton trucking firm.
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The drug traffic ring was operating commercial businesses to transport illegal drugs into the GTA, said Peel Det. Sgt. Earl Scott.
North King Logistics “has been identified as a commercial trucking business used to transport and distribute the illegal drugs,” said Scott.
“Some of the drugs were concealed in the rear of tractor-trailers in commercial trucking concealed within legitimate loads,” he added.
The phone number for North King Logistics is no longer in service. According to U.S. Department of Transportation, North King Logistics had five drivers and six trucks. The registration dates back to 2020.
The freight they had listed as carrying included general freight, fresh produce, meat, beverages, paper products, refrigerated food and agricultural/farm supplies.
When asked how such a large drug ring operated so close to home, Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said this is why community involvement is so important.
“Organized crime has no boundaries,” said Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich “As invested as we are in different techniques and different processes in order to catch them, they are equally as invested in protecting their enterprises and continuing to benefit and profit from that.”
The community needs to contact police or Crime Stoppers when they witness criminal behaviour.
“We need the community, we cannot be everywhere.”
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