The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has completed a lengthy joint investigation that has led to multiple arrests across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
It’s being labeled as Project Catfish. It began in May and was conducted as a partnership by members of the HRPS Burlington Street Crime Unit and the Haldimand County OPP Street Crime Unit. It targeted a drug trafficking network operating in Halton Region and the GTHA.
On Thursday, September 5th, with the assistance of multiple specialty units within the HRPS and OPP and assistance from Emergency Services Units from surrounding police services (Hamilton Police Service, Toronto Police Service, Waterloo Regional Police Service, Niagara Regional Police Service) investigators simultaneously executed nine search warrants. These warrant locations were residences and vehicles in Burlington, Hamilton, Toronto, Dunnville and Cambridge. A total of 11 people were arrested and charged and the following items were seized:
- Two loaded Smith and Wesson handguns
- One Glock firearm with serial number defaced
- Ammunition and a prohibited drum magazine
- Two crossbows
- 4kgs of methamphetamine
- 3kgs of cocaine
- 115 grams of oxycodone
- 950 grams of fentanyl
- $120,000 CAD currency
- Two vehicles
11 individuals face a combined 55 charges which include firearm and drug trafficking offences:
34-year-old Dario Dilber of Dunnville was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl)
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
- Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition
- Possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
- Careless storage of a firearm
- Fail to Comply – Release Order (four counts)
- Possession of a firearm, ammunition contrary to prohibition order (five counts)
39-year-old Julia Dowling of Dunnville was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl)
- Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition
- Possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
- Careless storage of a firearm
- Possession of a firearm, ammunition contrary to prohibition order
31-year-old Abdalle Farah of Burlington was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Careless use of firearm
- Tampering with serial number
51-year-old Timothy King of Hannon was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl)
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (methamphetamine)
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (oxycodone)
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a weapon
- Tampering with serial number of firearm or possession of firearm knowing serial number has been altered, defaced or removed
- Possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order (five counts)
- Carless Use of a firearm, weapon, ammunition
- Unauthorized possession of a weapon
28-year-old Issa Sufi of Toronto was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl)
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (hydromorphone)
- Fail to Comply – Undertaking
28-year-old Michael Tesfay of Cambridge was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine) (two counts)
- Brach of release order (three counts)
33-year-old Yahya Yusuf of Burlington was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Careless use of firearm
- Tampering with serial number
19-year-old Sharmel Facey of Dunnville was released from custody pending a court appearance.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl)
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
23-year-old Faycal Krazini of Cambridge was released from custody pending a court appearance.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine) (2 counts)
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (oxycodone)
45-year-old Karel Beleba of Hamilton was released from custody pending a court appearance.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (methamphetamine)
35-year-old Katherine Hayes of Dunnville was released from custody pending a court appearance.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
“The trafficking of illicit substances into our communities is related to the rise in drug poisonings which we know can lead to tragic outcomes. Similarly, trafficking and possessing firearms is a direct threat to public safety,” says Detective Sergeant Derek Moyes of the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau. “The results of Project Catfish clearly demonstrate our commitment to collaborate with our policing partners and hold those who participate in these criminal acts accountable.”
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2316
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 through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
