The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has announced a major bust following a nearly year-long investigation that spanned across the GTA.
The drug investigation began back in October 2020 with just a single suspect. The HRPS says the investigation grew in scope and size, eventually becoming a joint forces operation with the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario, Peel Regional Police, and the Canada Border Services Agency.
130 judicial authorizations were obtained and an extensive organized group was identified. 12 people have been arrested with 44 charges being laid.
27-year-old James Ferrier of Toronto is facing:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (x2); and,
- Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Trafficking.
45-year-old Terrence Hancock of London is facing:
- Careless Storage of a Firearm;
- Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon;
- Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized;
- Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition;
- Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking; and,
- Unlawfully Produce Substance.
A 26-year-old Toronto woman is facing:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking.
40-year-old John Byard of Mississauga is facing:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking; and,
- Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Trafficking.
42-year-old Trevor Harwood of Etobicoke was charged with:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (x2); and,
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000.
On Monday, January 24th, all charges against Harwood in connection to Project Icarus were withdrawn by the Crown.
34-year-old Jile Cai of Etobicoke is facing:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000.
39-year-old Anthony Mason of Hamilton is facing:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking;
- Trafficking a Controlled Substance (x2); and,
- Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Distribution.
32-year-old Brian Aguiar of Burlington is facing:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (x4);
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence;
- Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon (x2);
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle (x2);
- Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm (x2);
- Breach of Firearms Regulation (x2);
- Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition; and,
- Possession of a Weapon Obtained by Crime.
30 -year-old Ana Antunes of Burlington is facing:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking.
30-year-old Crystal Giang of North York is facing:
- Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Distribution.
31-year-old Thanh Ma of Newmarket is facing:
- Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Distribution.
The busts came on July 21st, July 29th, and August 12th – all of this year.
The following illicit drugs and firearms were seized as part of Project Icarus:
- 27 kilograms of cocaine;
- 15 kilograms of ecstasy (MDMA);
- Over 1000 kilograms of cannabis in bulk, edible, and resin form;
- One .40 caliber Glock handgun;
- One 9mm Glock handgun;
- Prohibited magazines; and
- One 12 gauge shotgun and 1,100 rounds of ammunition.
HRPS Detective Sergeant Barrett Gabriel says the estimated total of the illicit substances seized is over $5 million.
Other items seized of note include illicit opioids (0.5 kg fentanyl, oxycodone and morphine), more than $100,000 in currency, jewelry and motor vehicles. Project Icarus also resulted in the successful disruption of cocaine processing and illegal cannabis processing facilities.
Watch the press conference below:
Project Icarus Press Conference
Details of the largest drug seizure in the history of the Halton Regional Police Service https://t.co/br1qZAaH6H
— Halton Police (@HaltonPolice) August 18, 2021
