The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) says it has made the largest firearms seizure in the service’s history following a major six-month drug trafficking investigation spanning several GTA communities.
Project Cyprus began in November and targeted what investigators describe as a high-level drug trafficking network operating throughout Halton, Toronto, York Region and Durham Region.
As part of the investigation, officers executed nine search warrants at residences and vehicles in Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Toronto and Oshawa. Investigators say they obtained 75 judicial authorizations during the course of the probe.
Police seized 24 handguns (including 12 prohibited and 12 restricted firearms) along with 20 prohibited over-capacity magazines and ammunition. Investigators also seized 16.5 kilograms of cocaine, more than 16,000 Oxycodone tablets, liquid Hydrocodone and Codeine, as well as more than $375,000 in cash and cryptocurrency.
“This investigation has resulted in the largest firearms seizure in the history of the Halton Regional Police Service and represents a significant disruption to the flow of illegal guns entering our communities,” says HRPS Chief of Police, Stephen Tanner. “The fact that all 24 firearms originated in the United States highlights the continued threat posed by cross-border firearms trafficking. These are dangerous weapons that were destined for our streets, and I commend our team for removing them before they could be used in acts of violence.”
Four men are now facing more than 30 criminal charges connected to the investigation.
31-year-old Tevin Moulton of Oshawa has been charged with the following:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Possession of Firearms for the Purpose of Weapons Trafficking
- Possession of a Prohibited Device for the Purpose of Weapons Trafficking
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
- Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
- Possession of Prohibited Weapon, Device or Ammunition Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
- Careless Storage of Firearms
- Possession of Prohibited Firearms
- Being in possession of a Weapon Contrary to an Order
29-year-old Duo Chao “Jason” Xue of Richmond Hill has been charged with the following:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking (2 counts)
- Trafficking a controlled substance (Cocaine)
- Fail to Comply with Release Order (2 counts)
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
26-year-old Sebastian Machado of Toronto has been charged with the following:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (Oxycodone) for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (Hydrocodone) for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (Codeine) for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 (3 counts)
36-year-old Todd Woodman of Mississauga has been charged with the following:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Trafficking a controlled substance (Cocaine)
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (Oxycodone) for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (Hydrocodone) for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (Codeine) for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
All accused were held in custody pending bail hearings in Milton.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2216.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online.
