Multiple suspects are facing charges after an investigation dubbed Project Ambassador led to the seizure of $225,000 in cash and drugs in Toronto and north Durham, police said.
The project commenced after the DRPS saw an increase in overdose calls in north Durham over the past few months. North Division also received an increase in citizen complaints from communities in Brock Township regarding the increase of drug trafficking and usage in their communities. Investigators teamed up with York Regional Police due to similar occurrences in north east York Region and, as a result, have made numerous arrests and seizures.
On Saturday, December 12, 2020, Investigators from North Division working closely with York Regional Police and with the assistance of the Toronto Police Service Emergency Task Force, the DRPS Drug Enforcement Unit, DRPS K-9 Unit and our Tactical Support Unit, executed three search warrants, two in Toronto and one in Udora, north Durham, as part of this ongoing street-level drug investigation.
Police seized a quantity of heroin, cocaine, fentanyl and a quantity of cash. The seized drugs and cash have an estimated value of over $70,000. A total of 18 persons have been charged, including:
Wayne Lewis, age 55, of Toronto, is charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking x3 (fentanyl, cocaine). He was held for a bail hearing.
Christopher Paolella, age 36 of York Region, was charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (fentanyl).
Doug Olhiser, age 62, of York Region, was charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (fentanyl) and Possession of Heroin.
Taralee Biggar, age 43, of Brock Township, was charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (fentanyl).
Anyone with new information about this investigation is asked to contact the DRPS North Division Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5800.