Pubdate: Fri, 16 Apr 2004
Source: Brampton Guardian (CN ON)
Copyright: 2004 Brampton Guardian
Contact:  http://www.thebramptonguardian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1485
Author: Pam Douglas

ARRESTS FOLLOW RAIDS ON HOMES

Peel police say they believe they have rounded up a group of cross-border 
drug runners who were at the top of the insidious residential marijuana 
growing operation in the GTA.

An eight-month joint forces investigation wrapped up yesterday with raids 
at 12 homes in Brampton and Mississauga, and four in other cities, 
according to the Peel police Morality Bureau. At least two of the raids 
were in Brampton, while the majority were in Mississauga. At least two were 
in the area of Derry and Mavis roads.

More than 20 people were arrested, and police seized a veritable fortune in 
cash, diamonds and other jewelry, luxury cars and marijuana. Investigators 
say they will release a list of those charged and the locations of the 
seizures today.

The sophisticated ring of Vietnamese organized crime suspects had profits 
and holdings in the millions of dollars, using snowmobiles, boats and 
secret compartments in cars to smuggle 1,000 pounds of marijuana a month to 
the United States through the Cornwall area, police say. They were 
collecting marijuana grown in residential hydroponic labs, packaging it and 
distributing it throughout the United States, according to police.

"I suspect a seizure of this magnitude would definitely have an impact on 
drug trafficking in the Region of Peel and beyond," said Peel Sgt. Todd Moore.

Smuggled into U.S.

The joint forces investigation started in September and involved the RCMP's 
Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit, United States Customs, the DEA (Drug 
Enforcement Agency), Canada Customs and the Montreal Urban Police.

It wrapped up with the raids and arrests yesterday. Included in the 
seizures were close to $1 million in jewelry, including $100,000 in raw 
diamonds, and $2 million in cash.

Police say they seized 700 pounds of marijuana during the course of the 
investigation, dubbed Project Freightliner, and yesterday they seized 
several luxury vehicles, including two Porsches and a Mercedes Benz.

Police said the accused were living in large, expensive homes and driving 
expensive cars.

Several methods were used to smuggle the drugs over the border, including 
snowmobiles and boats. Also, several vehicles were "professionally" 
modified with hidden compartments to conceal large amounts of marijuana, 
according to police. 
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart