THUNDER BAY — Police have arrested six people following a months-long, multi-jurisdictional investigation into drug trafficking in the Thunder Bay and Ottawa areas.
Dubbed Project ALLOY, the OPP-led Joint Forces and and Enforcement Team began the probe in July, after investigators learned about a criminal network trafficking drugs including crystal methamphetamine and cocaine in the two regions.
The Thunder Bay Police Service participated in the operation.
Search warrants were executed on Nov. 9 in Thunder Bay, Ottawa, Carleton Place, ON and Gatineau, QC.
Officers seized a large quantity of illicit drugs, firearms and offence-related property valued at about $200,000.
Weapons included four rifles, one loaded shotgun, eight handguns including one that was loaded, a large quantity of ammunition, a crossbow and brass knuckles.
Police also took possession of two vehicles including a luxury vehicle and a stolen pickup truck, and eleven cellphones.
The investigation is ongoing.
The individuals charged to date with a total of 42 offences are all residents of the Ottawa or Gatineau areas.
"The six accused who were arrested as part of Project ALLOY targeted vulnerable populations through criminal drug-trafficking activities, and put everyone at risk through the firearms they possessed," said OPP Detective Inspector Lee Fulford. "I am proud of the OPP and policing partners for upholding the law and protecting our communities."
According to the Joint Forces Guns and Gangs Enforcement team, street gangs are migrating to communities across Ontario.
The team's mandate is to disrupt street gang activity through intelligence-led, multi-jurisdictional drug-trafficking investigations, and by reducing the number of illegal firearms in the province.
