While many drug-related investigations are small in scale and focus on a few individuals, sometimes headlines are made by larger stories. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have recently revealed information about what they say is the largest drug seizure in the history of the OPP. The seizure involved approximately 1,000 kilograms of pure cocaine with a street value of $250 million. Three Canadian men have been arrested on drug charges in relation to this search and seizure.
The cocaine seizure occurred in Orilla, Ontario. The OPP say the cocaine came from Argentina to the Port of Montreal to its final distribution point in Ontario. The three men currently facing drug charges are from the Greater Toronto area, although the OPP say that international elements and Mexican cartels may be involved as well.
Much is still unknown about the cocaine seized by the OPP. Police say there is no evidence of corruption at the port where the drugs passed through Montreal. They also believe that the substances did not originate in Argentina, but rather passed through that country as a link to Canada.
Large-scale investigations and seizures often include multiple agencies. In this case, the Canada Border Services Agency, Peel Regional Police, and Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) were involved alongside the OPP. The multiple agencies involved and the scale of such an operation can mean a much more complex defense case for those accused of involvement. Those facing drug charges in cases large or small can benefit from the council of an Ontario criminal defense lawyer.
Source: CBC News, "Police reveal details about 'largest ever' drug seizure in OPP history", Kate Mcgillivray, Aug. 28, 2017
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