Police say since January 2015 members of the Special Investigative Services Unit of the Niagara Regional Police Service have been investigating a drug trafficking organization based in St Catharines, Ontario. The investigation uncovered evidence of a large Cocaine and Marihuana trafficking ring based in St. Catharines with ties to persons in Mississauga and Toronto, Ontario. The investigation became known as Project Bluenose.
In the morning hours of July 9th, 2015 approximately 110 officers from the Golden Horseshoe area assisted Project Bluenose in executing 15 search and arrest warrants in St Catharines, Mississauga and Toronto, Ontario. The police and law enforcement agencies included the Niagara Regional Police Service, Canada Border Services Agency, the OPP Biker Enforcement Unit, the Hamilton Police Service, Toronto Police Service and the Halton Police Service.
As a result, a total of 12 persons were arrested in the operation. These accused persons are facing a variety of Controlled Drugs and Substance Act and Criminal Code charges.
UPDATE #2:
Investigators with Project Bluenose continue to analyze and evaluate various evidence seizures as a result of the July 9th takedown. At this time Police say they are able to report the following seizures as a result of Project Bluenose.
– $75,000 worth of Cocaine
– $5,000 worth of various other narcotics including MDMA, Marihuana, Hashish and Oxycodone
– $70,000 cash
– $100,000 in watches and other jewelry.
– Five vehicles worth $160,000 including a 2102 Harley Davidson Motorcycle
FIRST UPDATE RECAP:
Police say as a result of the arrests and searches conducted on Thursday, July 9th, 2014. The following persons are charged with the listed offences.
Haris Rekic, 27 years of St. Catharines.
– Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine 2 Counts
– Breach of Recognizance 2 counts
Kevin Debon, 29 years of St. Catharines.
– Conspiracy to Traffic a Controlled Substance 4 counts
– Trafficking Cocaine
– Trafficking Oxycodone
– Possession of Cocaine for the purpose of Trafficking 3 counts
– Possession of Marihuana for the purpose of Trafficking
– Possession of Psilocybin for the purpose of Trafficking
– Possession of Oxycodone for the purpose of Trafficking
– Possession of the Proceeds of Crime Over $5000
– Possession of Cocaine
– Possession of MDMA
– Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
Marvin Pineda, 28 years of St. Catharines.
– Conspiracy to Traffic a Controlled Substance 4 counts
– Conspiracy to commit Money Laundering
– Possession of Cocaine for the purpose of Trafficking 2 Counts
Laura Cortes, 26 years of St. Catharines.
– Conspiracy to Traffic a Controlled Substance
– Conspiracy to commit Money Laundering
– Possession of the Proceeds of Crime over $5,000
Darren Haines, 26 years of St. Catharines.
– Conspiracy to Traffic a Controlled Substance
Senad Hirkic, 27 years of St. Catharines.
– Conspiracy to Traffic a Controlled Substance
Blake Richards, 27 years of St. Catharines
– Conspiracy to Traffic a Controlled Substance
– Possession of Cocaine for the purpose of Trafficking
Tiarnan Shuttleworth, 25 years of Toronto.
– Conspiracy to Traffic a Controlled Substance
Luis Soza-Cordero, 25 years of Mississauga.
– Conspiracy to Traffic a Controlled Substance
Jesse Orr, 25 years of Toronto.
– Conspiracy to Traffic a Controlled Substance
– Possession of the Proceeds of Crime over $5,000
– Breach of Recognizance 2 counts
Michael Mills, 34 years of St. Catharines, Ontario
– Conspiracy to Traffic a Controlled Substance
Wilber Morales, 29 years of St. Catharines, Ontario
– Conspiracy to Traffic a Controlled Substance
– Possession of Cocaine for the purpose of Trafficking
– Possession of the Proceeds of Crime under $5,000
All accused persons in this matter will appear in a St Catharines Bail Court on the afternoon of July 9th, 2015. This investigation is ongoing and further charges are expected.
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