In continued dedication to the Durham Region Opioid Response Plan related to a significant increase in opioid-related deaths within the community, the DRPS Drug Enforcement Unit led numerous investigations into fentanyl traffickers in areas impacted by the opioid crisis.
Project Econoline was 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. The team executed 28 search warrants within the GTA, arrested 44 individuals and laid a total of 295 Criminal Code and Controlled Drug and Substance Act charges. During the duration of the investigation, investigators seized 5.8 kilograms of fentanyl, 4.2 kilograms of cocaine, 205 grams methamphetamine, 3,000 oxycodone pills, 30 kilograms of illicit cannabis and a quantity of hydromorphone, GHB, MDMA with an approximate street value of $2.5 million. Police also seized eight handguns and over $300,000 in cash.
Project Econoline has made a significant impact on the availability of fentanyl in areas experiencing high overdose rates. These 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. Through funding provided by the Ontario Government, Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario (CISO) supported the DRPS investigation.
The DRPS would like to thank the members of the investigative team for their dedication and perseverance, our law enforcement partners, CISO and all of the other law enforcement agencies that provided assistance during this investigation.
Anyone with new information about this investigation is asked to contact the DRPS Drug Enforcement Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5801.