Pubdate: Tue, 24 Jun 2008
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Robyn Doolittle
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

150 NABBED IN DRUG TRAFFICKING SWEEP

Undercover Probe Targets Downtown Parks

Following a five-week undercover investigation in  downtown parks,
Toronto police have arrested 150  suspects and laid hundreds of
drug-related charges.

Police seized about $80,000 in cash and $240,000 worth  of narcotics,
mainly crack cocaine, during the  investigation.

Previous stings revealed that dealers frequently move  between police
divisions to evade investigators, so 14  and 51 divisions teamed up
for their most recent sweep  – dubbed Project Blue Diamond in 14
and Project  Deed in 51.

"Drug dealers aren't necessarily dumb. If they see a  pattern
developing, they'll move," said Det. Sgt. Howie  Page. "It was seven
days a week, 24 hours a day. No set  times. No set dates. That was
part of the strategy."

Officers posing as civilians purchased drugs in several  downtown
communities, he said.

They focused their attention on community parks in  Parkdale, the
Seaton St. neighbourhood, Regent Park and  the Bloor St. and Lansdowne
Ave. area, Page said.

"At one time, the community had their concerns, but  were afraid to
speak out. Fear of repercussions  possibly. (Now) they're our eyes and
ears, steering us  where to go," Page said.

The suspects, both men and women, have a total of 2,276  previous
criminal convictions, Page said. They range in  age from 15 to 58,
come from all over the GTA and as  far away as Cambridge. Page said
the suspects are  alleged street-level dealers, with no ties to gangs.

The majority have been released on bail, he said.

Collectively, they have been charged with 428  trafficking and
possession offences.

At least seven were nabbed earlier this year during  Project Ice and
Project Revival.

The Toronto Police TAVIS response teams plan to ramp up  surveillance
of the affected communities and conduct  routine compliance checks for
the suspects released on  bail.

"They'll be knocking on doors, making sure these people  are where
they're supposed to be," said Page.

"We're going to be very clear in our caution to those  who believe
they can take over our community parks and  neighbourhoods."
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath