https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/du...e131cde-2ccb-11ef-9caf-83393f7372ee.htmlDurham police make 92 arrests, seize $600K in drugs in ‘Project Martini’ human trafficking bust
Project Martini, a five-week investigation, resulted in 92 arrests, 113 criminal charges and 11 search warrants executed across Oshawa, Clarington, Whitby and Ajax.
Nearly 100 individuals have been arrested as part of Durham police’s “Project Martini,” an investigation into drug trafficking and human trafficking in the region.
The five-week investigation resulted in 92 arrests, 113 criminal charges and 11 search warrants executed across Oshawa, Clarington, Whitby and Ajax.
The charges laid were mostly related to drug trafficking, property crime, violent crime and obtaining sexual services.
In total, officers seized more than $600,000 worth of drugs including more than three kilograms of methamphetamine, over one kilogram of cocaine and close to one kilogram of fentanyl. They also seized $30,000 in cash.
“These arrests and seizures have put a significant dent into the drug trafficking in Durham region,” Supt. Ryan Connolly said in a media conference Monday morning.
“A lot” of the individuals arrested were released and police will be doing compliance checks, Connolly said.
Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter said the Project Martini made a “significant difference” and the city will be doing everything it possibly can to address the sale of illegal drugs in the region.
“If you are going to deal drugs in our city,” he said in the conference, “you are unwelcome.”
Carter also called on all levels of government to address “one of the worst healthcare crisis” Canada has ever experienced.
He said an average of 24 deaths are caused by overdose every day and that “we need to do a better job than what we’re doing today.”
Carter said he was also “very pleased” by the results of the human trafficking investigation.
“These are individuals that are the most vulnerable in our communities that are being victimized,” he said.
This project referred 62 individuals to public health support programs and an additional 38 individuals to support programs for sex trade workers, a media release said.
