Durham Police yesterday announced a five-week drug and human trafficking investigation – Project Martini – which has resulted in 92 people being arrested, 113 criminal charges laid and 11 search warrants executed.
In total, officers seized more than three kilograms of methamphetamine, over one kilogram of cocaine, close to one kilogram of fentanyl and $30,000 in currency. The total street value of the drugs seized was more than $600,000, said a police statement.
It said while enforcement efforts were predominantly in the Oshawa area, there was also focus on Clarington, Whitby and Ajax that led to the execution of 11 search warrants, 92 arrests and 113 criminal charges. Charges laid were related to drug trafficking, property crime, violent crime and obtaining sexual services. Recognizing that enforcement efforts alone can’t solve these issues, team members also referred 62 people to public health support programs and another 38 to support programs for sex-trade workers.
Project Martini was launched in response to concerns raised by business owners and residents in areas throughout the Region of Durham in relation to human and drug trafficking. Project Martini used overdose data to drive enforcement and direct support efforts to the areas that would have the greatest impact on community and victim safety. The project was led by Divisional Community Response Teams supported by DRPS’ Drug Enforcement Unit and Human Trafficking Unit.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Sgt. Green of the Central East Division Community Response Team at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1747.
Drug Trafficking Investigation in Clarington
Police also announced that three males and one female are facing charges after the conclusion of a drug trafficking investigation at a residence in Clarington.
On Tuesday, June 11, members of the Community Response Team (CRT), with the assistance of the Tactical Support Unit (TSU), concluded an investigation into drug trafficking at a residence in the area of Simpson Avenue and King Street East. A search warrant was executed at the residence resulting in several arrests and the seizure of numerous drugs.
Two suspects, age 40 and 38 from Clarington, and two, age 48 and 41 from Oshawa, were charged. Names and further details available at www.drps.ca. Police did not say if they were held or released.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Cst. Gagnon of the Community Response Team at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 3909.
Editor’s Note: Durham Post does not name or identify the accused as:
1. Of this time, they are suspect[s] and not convicted by a court, and
2. Sometimes charges are amended or dropped.