OPP-led task force nets 11 arrests, illicit drugs worth an estimated $2.7 million

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An OPP-led police task force has arrested 11 alleged drug traffickers and seized large quantities of suspected cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, heroin and other illegal substances in an operation in the Ottawa area, Ontario Provincial Police said Thursday.

The seized drugs carried an estimated street value of $2.7 million, police said in a release.

Police said they arrested 11 people they accused of being “high-level” and “mid-level” drug traffickers supplying illegal drugs in the Ottawa area and into Québec.

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“Project Fossil,” as the operation was dubbed, began in September 2023, the force said in a news release.

“This was an intelligence-led investigation with the objective to investigate multiple independent cells of high-level and mid-level drug trafficking networks supplying illegal commodities to drug distribution networks within our communities, including online distribution methods,” the release said.

On Aug. 8, 2024, the investigative team executed 13 search warrants in Ottawa, Carleton Place and Gatineau, with members from almost two dozen police units.

Police said they seized:

  • 15 kg of suspected cocaine
  • Four kg of suspected methamphetamine
  • 2.25 kg of suspected heroin
  • Seven pounds of suspected psilocybin and more than 1,000 psilocybin edibles
  • 33 grams of suspected MDMA
  • 2,000 hydromorphone tablets
  • More than 35 pounds of illegal cannabis, two kg of cannabis concentrates and more than 1,000 cannabis edibles
  • Two firearms
  • Approximately $337,000 in Canadian currency
  • Approximately $880,000 in gold
  • More than 75 prohibited devices (conducted energy weapons)

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