Project ECONOLINE fighting fentanyl trafficking in Oshawa and Durham Region

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Published September 20, 2021 at 4:18 pm

Slowly but surely, Durham Police is making a dent in the fentanyl trafficking business in Durham Region.

Project ECONOLINE, a five-month drug investigation led by Drug Enforcement Unit with the assistance of the Gun and Gang Enforcement Unit, Tactical Support Unit, and the East Division Community Response team, executed 28 search warrants, arrested 44 people and laid a total of 295 Criminal Code and Controlled Drug and Substance Act charges.

Investigators also seized 5.8 kilograms of fentanyl, 4.2 kilograms of cocaine, 205 grams methamphetamine, 3,000 oxycodone pills, 30 kilograms of cannabis and a quantity of hydromorphone, GHB and MDMA with an approximate street value of $2.5 million.

Eight handguns were also taken off the street in the campaign and police recovered more than $300,000 in cash.

Police believe Project ECONOLINE has made a “significant impact” on the availability of fentanyl, particularly in areas experiencing high overdose rates such as downtown Oshawa. The investigations into drug-trafficking and the arrests of those responsible have disrupted multiple smaller trafficking cells and deterred traffickers from dealing drugs within the Region of Durham, police say.

Anyone with new information about this investigation is asked to contact the DRPS Drug Enforcement Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5801.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.

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